Young Conference Center Dedicated

The former warden's house at the Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF)-Stillwater has been dedicated as the Jack & Adelle Young Conference Center.  The Youngs were the last family to live in the home when Jack was warden from 1968-1971.  The dedication on November 21, 2007, recognized the partnership between the Youngs and their many contributions to the Department of Corrections.  Jack Young went on to serve as Corrections Commissioner from 1979 to 1982.  The center is currently being renovated and, when complete, will also be home to artifacts from the existing prison as well as the old territorial prison that burned down in 2002.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are an integral, essential, and valuable resource to the Department of Corrections.  They help accomplish the department’s mission by enhancing services and programs that impact offenders’ healthy development.  Over 1,300 volunteers serve as role models and critical links to resources that prepare inmates for successful entry into the community following completion of their court-ordered incarceration.

     Volunteers supplement services and programs offered by department staff, supporting community reentry efforts and promoting institution safety.  Volunteers assist the department in delivery of programs and services that help offenders become educated, self-efficient, law-abiding citizens.  For more information about current volunteer opportunities, click here.

Hegg Named 2007 Corrections Person of the Year

David Hegg, MCF-Togo Warden, was named 2007 Corrections Person of the Year by the Minnesota Corrections Association.

     Hegg was recognized for contributing to the structure and stability of MCF-Togo, where he has served as a rehabilitation therapist, agent, and warden. Under his leadership, Togo has diversified, offering more opportunities to the troubled youth of Minnesota.  The camp that started out as a small, outdoor adventure program for juvenile boys has blossomed into a program where juveniles can build self-esteem.  Togo now also offers separate programming for adult women who are assigned to the department's Challenge Incarceration Program. 

     Hegg is recognized as a leader who believes in his staff, program ideals, and the opportunities for residents to create better futures for themselves.

Lanz Recognized with Achievement Award

Tim Lanz, DOC Reentry Services, is the recipient of a 2007 Professional Achievement Award from the Minnesota Corrections Association.

     Lanz was recognized for his long and distinguished career in the DOC as a case worker and case management supervisor.  He was instrumental in creating the transition programming that exists at most DOC facilities. He forged the arrangements to put transitions resource centers in institution education units. He worked tirelessly to develop a procedure to help inmates obtain identification documents needed for successful reentry.

     When the DOC reentry services team was created, Lanz was named facility reentry program manager. In that role, he has expanded the number of facility transition coordinators and created a collaborative agreement with the Department of Human Services to place a child support investigator at DOC intake facilities to identify and assist offenders in dealing with child support arrears.

     Lanz continues to look for innovative and meaningful ways to augment successful offender transitions and enhance public safety.

Probation in Minnesota

The 2006 Probation Survey is now available.  This document, completed annually by the Minnesota Department of Corrections, is a compilation of probation data from all Minnesota counties.

Corrections Employee Week Recognized

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) celebrates Corrections Employee Recognition Week May 6-12, 2007.  “The DOC is a large and diverse organization, requiring contributions from many occupations to be successful in carrying out its numerous responsibilities,” said Corrections Commissioner Joan Fabian.  “We value the professionalism and contributions of our diverse workforce.”   DOC staff share the same mission:  To hold offenders accountable and offer opportunities for change while restoring justice for victims and contributing to a safer Minnesota.

Academic Plan for Offender Population

The Department of Corrections' Master Academic Plan 2006-2007 provides direction and focus in planning educational opportunities for the offender population. The Plan is heavily influenced by - and supportive of - the department's mission and vision, and is driven by the goal of providing offenders the pathway, through education, to achieve an enhanced quality of life and improved economic stability.

Victims' Rights: Every Victim.  Every Time.

National Crime Victims Rights' Week (NCVRW) is April 22-28, 2007, with a theme this year of Victims' Rights: Every Victim. Every Time.  Each year since 1981, the Office for Victims of Crime (a component of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice) has helped lead communities throughout the country in their NCVRW observances. Rallies, candlelight vigils, and a host of commemorative activities are held to promote victims' rights and honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. 

     Minnesota Department of Corrections' facilities, staff, and offenders plan and participate in a number of local events to help recognize and under-stand victim issues.  For additional information about NCVRW, visit www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ncvrw.

Sex Offender Recidivism, Residential Proximity Examined

Two extensive research reports on sex offenders have been issued by the Minnesota Department of Corrections.  Sex Offender Recidivism in Minnesota examines recidivism among more than 3,100 sex offenders released from a Minnesota correctional facility between 1990 and 2002 as well as the factors associated with sex offender recidivism.  Residential Proximity & Sex Offense Recidivism in Minnesota examines the potential deterrent effect of residency restrictions by analyzing sexual reoffense patterns of sex offender recidivists.

Oak Park Heights Commemorates 25 Years of Operation

The Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF)-Oak Park Heights commemorated 25 years of operation at an event on March 23, 2007.  The facility was constructed in 1982 at a cost of $32 million.  It was considered state-of-the-art, with its earth-sheltered design incorporating advanced technology and architectural concepts.  Oak Park Heights serves as the state’s highest custody level facility for adult males (level 5, maximum).  It houses offenders classified as maximum custody or extreme risks to the public.  Capacity is 466 inmates.

     The facility currently has nine self-contained complexes that can operate independently.  Six are designed to house 52 inmates each.  The remaining three complexes contain the mental health, transitional health care, and admin-istrative control units that serve adult male offenders department-wide.  Oak Park Heights is also the site of the consolidated offender canteen service, operated by MINNCOR Industries and servicing all department adult facilities. (Pictured from left to right are Corrections Officer Ross Larson, retired commissioner and warden Frank Wood, and current warden Jessie Symmes.)

Deb Anderson is 2007 DOC Agent of the Year

Deb Anderson has been selected as State Corrections 2007 Agent of the Year.  The DOC makes this selection annually as part of National Probation, Parole, & Community Supervision Week, held each July.  For more information on Anderson's selection, click here.