Minn. Department of Corrections urges $65M-plus in bonding for asset preservation, seeks Rush City expansion

Paul Schnell, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, told the state House Capital Investment Committee on Feb. 20 that the department is seeking capital investments to address a $732 million deferred‑maintenance backlog and to expand rehabilitative space at the Rush City prison.

"This extensive infrastructure is critical to our mission and requires constant attention and upkeep," Commissioner Paul Schnell said in his opening remarks. He said the DOC operates 11 prisons, employs about 4,300 people and houses roughly 8,300 people statewide.

The committee heard that about one‑third of the deferred maintenance across state agencies — 33% — is within the Department of Corrections. Carl Hunt, the DOC’s Capital Resource Administrator, told the committee the department is forecasting 40 critical asset‑preservation projects that could be completed with the governor’s recommended asset‑preservation funding of about $65,500,000.

Why it matters: DOC officials said deferred maintenance affects security systems, water and sewage systems, housing, classrooms and other facilities used around the clock, and that poor facilities hinder rehabilitative programming the department says reduces recidivism. "Investing in infrastructure improvements for Minnesota state prisons is not just about sustaining buildings, it's about how we keep communities safe," Commissioner Schnell said.

Key num…