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Ramsey County board approves joint powers agreement with state for intensive supervised release
Summary
Ramsey County’s Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a joint powers agreement with the State of Minnesota on June 10 to continue funding for intensive supervised release services formerly operated under state grants.
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on June 10 to approve a joint powers agreement (JPA) with the State of Minnesota to fund and continue the county’s intensive supervised release services.
County corrections staff told the board the agreement formalizes long-standing funding for supervision of people returning from state prison; the program has existed under state grants dating back at least to 1998 but this year the funding mechanism shifted from a grant to a joint powers agreement.
Valeria Derusha, assistant division director of administrative services and community corrections, told commissioners the change is primarily administrative: “This year it's changed from a grant to a joint powers agreement which is why we're before you but we've been providing these services to individuals for many many years.” Deputy director Kim Stubblefield described uncertainties tied to the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) plan to phase-close Stillwater Prison over several years and said county staff are monitoring how closure and the DOC’s Minnesota Reinvestment and Rehabilitation Act could affect community supervision caseloads.
Commissioners asked staff to keep the board informed. One commissioner thanked the Supervised Release and Corrections Department for their work and noted that stronger community supervision helps reduce returns to prison. Commissioners also requested updates to aid legislative outreach as state policy and prison changes evolve.
Action details: A motion to approve the JPA was made and seconded during the meeting; the roll call vote recorded the board’s support (Commissioner Jevan Singh — aye; Commissioner Maguire — aye; Commissioner McMurtry — aye; Commissioner Miller — aye; Commissioner Moran — aye; Commissioner Zhong — aye; Chair Ortega — aye). The board’s vote was recorded as unanimous.
Why it matters: County officials said the JPA secures continued funding for a county supervision program that county staff consider a tool to lower recidivism by supervising people released from state prison and connecting them with services. Staff noted potential future changes in supervision needs depending on DOC actions and legislative changes.
Next steps: County corrections staff will continue meetings with the DOC and provide periodic updates to the county board as the Stillwater closure process and related state policy developments become clearer.
