Minnesota Prison Emergency Situation Resolved After Inmates Refuse to Return to Cells

The Minnesota Department of Corrections has announced that an emergency situation at Stillwater Prison has been resolved after roughly 100 inmates in one living unit refused to return to their cells Sunday morning.

The prison was placed on emergency lockdown at around 8 a.m. local time, and police, firefighters and other emergency teams rushed to the scene. The Department of Corrections spokesperson said the situation is now “currently stable” and the reason inmates “are refusing to return to their cells remains unclear.”

Advocates positioned outside of the prison, some of whom have family members inside, said inmates are fed up from the excessive heat, limited access to showers and ice, and unclean drinking water. The inmates could remain on lockdown through Tuesday.

All staff were removed from the common areas of the unit that was taken over, and the prison is still on lockdown. The Department of Corrections has not released any further information on the situation.

The incident highlights the need for improved conditions in the prison, and advocates are calling for better treatment of inmates. The Department of Corrections has yet to comment on the situation.