Corrections union opposes closure of Stillwater prison

Unions representing correction officers and staff at the Stillwater state prison are calling for a halt to the plan to closure the facility The proposed stated budget agreement that includes the closure of Stillwater Correctional Facility is not only shortsighted it s downright dangerous disruptive and deeply disrespectful to the workers that keep the district safe and the inmates safe noted Bart Andersen executive director of the American Federation of State County Municipal Employees Council at a press conference at the state Capitol on Friday State leaders noted the move to close the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater addresses safety concerns concerning its aging infrastructure and will save more than million annually But union leaders stated Friday that the closure leaves staff members futures uncertain and poses safety risks to inmates staff and the community Review on closure of prison The prison houses particular of the state s majority of dangerous offenders commented Dan Gorman AFSCME vice president and chief steward Moving them could overcrowd other facilities It makes it very dangerous for the inmate population and for the staff that work in those facilities Gorman disclosed Union leaders also reported they were left in the dark about the decision to close the facility located in Bayport and continue to have questions about the plans A state assessment intended to look at closing the prison and advise lawmakers on it will apparently be unnecessary they announced This move comes before the very examination that was meant to inform a thoughtful and orderly closure of this facility revealed Megan Dayton president of Minnesota Association of Professional Employees That review was supposed to guide legislative decision making now it s going to be conducted after incarcerated individuals are already being moved That is not planning that is scrambling We have seen no bill language We have seen no protections for staff We have no clarity at all about staffing during this transition We have no commitment on fair compensation or placement for workers who might not be able to transfer While state agents say a full-modernization or replacement of the Stillwater site would cost an estimated billion union members say low-cost improvements they have requested over the years have been ignored Safety concerns From what union leaders have been advised part of the closure plan is reliant on the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act which allows inmates to earn earlier release Dayton reported The MRRA passed by the Legislature in as part of the constituents safety bill allows qualified inmates to reduce their sentences However state bureaucrats have announced inmates will not be circulated early as part of the closure As part of this we re not reducing population or releasing anyone to make this happen This would be handled by bed space and again phased over time Paul Schnell commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections declared at a press conference Thursday State authorities have cited safety concerns for inmates and staff at the aging Stillwater facility when discussing its closure Various union members questioned that assessment and what they described as a long-term underinvestment in the prison and in low-cost safety improvements It appears to be a cost-savings measure right now And in order to consolidate effectively to deliver initiatives effectively to correct behavior you have to invest in it Dayton noted You have to spend money to rehabilitate people so that they can be functioning members of society again And we have no guarantee that that s part of this plan The maximum guard facility for adult male felons built in at this time has inmates Its closure is expected by June under the plan revealed by state functionaries Thursday Related Articles Stillwater prison closure immigrant care debate may imperil MN budget deal Stillwater prison to close as part of budget deal reached by state leaders Here s how a local nonprofit is connecting people with horses for free Stillwater Veterans Memorial to undergo K expansion St Croix Valley Pottery Tour opens Friday at seven different studios