by BAYPORT, Minn. — State leaders have announced a phased closure of the historic Stillwater State Prison, set to be completed by 2029, due to safety concerns and costly maintenance issues.
Paul Schnell, Minnesota’s state corrections commissioner, shared the news during a press conference on Thursday, May 15, emphasizing that ending investments in the aging facility will improve safety for both staff and inmates.
The closure will take place in two key phases, contingent upon the approval of the public safety omnibus bill by the Legislature. The first phase will involve gradually reducing operations and staffing over several months, relocating inmates to other prisons, and studying the logistics, impacts, and future use of the site. The second phase is scheduled to start in July 2027, when the prison will be fully vacated, with complete closure expected by June 30, 2029.
While Minnesota prepares for this major transition, Wyoming continues to explore ways to modernize its correctional facilities, learning from the challenges faced by aging institutions like Stillwater.
