Rush City prison inmate Keith Hapana Crow writes about deteriorating conditions following the closure of Stillwater prison, including restricted recreation, mental health neglect and practices he argues violate restorative justice principles.
Stillwater prison
Posted inOpinion
In MN prisons, ‘chaos and ignorance is king’
The Minnesota Department of Corrections is a racket that prioritizes profits over rehabilitation, with the system being plagued by violence, overcrowding, and corruption, and whistleblowers revealing the extent of the problems.
Posted inOpinion
Rush City is Minnesota’s worst prison
Rush City prison is overcrowded, understaffed, and inhumane, with two prisoners often being housed in one cell, leading to violent clashes and inhumane living conditions.
Posted inOpinion
Allowing prisoners to bury their loved ones is important for healing
Inmates are being denied the opportunity to properly grieve and lay their loved ones to rest due to the DOC’s rules and restrictions, causing mental health issues.
Posted inNews
Are MN prisons receptive to inmate complaints?
Activists and advocates question the Department of Corrections’ internal grievance process, which they say is ineffective and punishes those incarcerated for speaking up.
Posted inNews
MSR publisher delivers inspiration to Stillwater inmates
Tracey Williams-Dillard, publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, spoke to inmates at the Stillwater prison about her family’s 90-year legacy, and how the MSR newspaper has helped to give a voice to the voiceless.
Posted inNews
Marvin Haynes exonerated after nearly 20 years in prison
Marvin Haynes, who was wrongfully convicted in the 2004 murder of Randy Sherer, was released from prison on Monday after a judge vacated his conviction due to an unconstitutional eyewitness identification.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Health department concerned about Stillwater water supply, but says it is safe to drink
The report found that, while the water does have elements that have concerned prisoners and their loved ones in the past several weeks, the water is safe to drink
Posted inLocal & State, News
Dept. of Corrections make some concessions for Stillwater prisoners
‘Doing the time doesn’t involve being treated like an animal, or being treated like you’re at the Como Zoo.’
Posted inLocal & State, News
Lockdown at Stillwater prison: Inmates demand clean water, ways to stay cool in extreme heat
We are not going to walk into our cells if we don’t get access to basic human rights like access to water and showers.
Posted inNews
Activists push for work release to reconnect the incarcerated with society
Prison abolitionists, advocacy organizations, and some formerly incarcerated members are urging the MnDoC to allow work release for low-risk offenders.
Posted inOpinion
Stillwater policy enables prisoner ‘fight clubs’
‘The idea that it’s prisoners’ responsibility to alert staff about prisoners living in the cell block together after fighting each other is ridiculous.’
Posted inOpinion
Restorative justice should be applied to all crime
It took tremendous work for me to overcome the hurdles prison imposed on me and becoming a socially responsible, empathetic and crime-free person.
Posted inNews
State prison unrest exposes overcrowding, understaffing
“Prison overcrowding is a vast issue in Minnesota,” according to Kellerlawoffices.com. “With many policymakers insistent on the need for stricter sentencing and no tolerance for multiple-offense inmates, state prisons are bursting at the seams [and] any space the releases make available is almost immediately occupied by new inmates.”
Posted inOpinion
Stillwater prison conditions are perpetuating pain
Although the Department of Corrections has said it has returned to “modified operations” at the Stillwater prison, family members report hearing from their incarcerated family of still very restricted activity and limited access to nutrition, rehabilitative programs, and the social interaction that promotes overall wellbeing.