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University of Minnesota's Bee Squad at MCF-Faribault!
By Martin Dahlen
The University of Minnesota Bee Squad was on grounds to assist with year-end honey extraction. The frames had the bees wax caps removed, allowing for the honey to be spun out of the comb. This year the bees produced 19 gallons of honey that will be donated to the local food shelf in Faribault.
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Food to People Pilot Program
By Kim Kind
MCF-Lino Lakes started a pilot project with a start-up non-profit group called Food to People. Food to People currently services homeless shelters and churches in the general Twin Cities area. As this program continues, they have been able to serve more people/families in the area. The food is making a direct impact on the community and is currently helping Minneapolis area churches where homeless families are hosted by the churches. This is a pilot project suggestion by Commissioner Schnell.
The food donated is leftover, untouched main entrée items that are quick chilled in the Food Services blast chiller and then placed in the freezer in freezer-safe single-use containers. Pick-up is once a week and started August 2nd.
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In-Person Transition Coalition Held at Great River Landing
By Christen Donley
Transition Coalitions take place throughout the state on revolving dates regularly. These meetings serve to bring together the greater reentry community of nonprofits, federal, state, and county agencies that all serve people leaving incarceration. Since COVID, these in person meetings all moved to a virtual space and although still impactful meetings, missing the in person connection that organically takes place when face to face.
Last Friday, on 8/11, we were able to gather at Great River Landing, the new location of 180 Degrees. Seventeen organizations from the Twin Cities set up tables and shared swag, flyers, and information about their individual services and programs with other organizations that attended. For the first time in over 3 years, we were able to connect with each other, shake hands, and make actual human connections that will serve to support the people we all want to see succeed once returned to the community.
It was a team effort. Commissioner, Paul Schnell, Kelley Heifort, Kate Erickson, JoAnn Brown, and the community stability team along with transition coordinators, behavioral health release planners, Employ, and O4C were all in attendance. We (MNDOC staff) were joined by about 75 individuals from community non profits.
The next in person Twin Cities Coalition will be hosted by Goodwill Easter Seals in St. Paul on October 13th from 9:30 - 11:30. You may sign up to attend here.
Supportive Housing for Men Exiting Prison - 180 Degrees | Turning Lives Around
Transition Coalition Meetings / Department of Corrections (mn.gov)
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Shakopee Cisco Student Defies Age and Sentence for a New Start
By Andee Flohr
Rebecca had worked for a time in nursing, started a family, and earned herself a job as a Regional Manager for a retail chain. “Then I ended up getting a few DWIs and that’s what brought me to prison,” she says.
With a 66-month sentence, “I knew I was going to be here for quite a while, and I wanted to do something with my time here. I didn’t want to just—for lack of a better statement—just sit around and do nothing,” says Rebecca. “I wanted to have something to show for my time here.”
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Moose Lake Restorative Justice Council Donates $10,000 to PAVSA
By Ian Heaslip
On Tuesday May 22, 2023, the Restorative Justice Council donated $10,000 to PAVSA (Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault).
Since 1975, PAVSA has been working to end sexual violence in our community. The Restorative Justice Council at Moose Lake sponsors fundraisers throughout the year and gives back to service providers in the community. Along with PAVSA, they also donated $3,000 each to Family Pathways and Safe Haven Shelter & Resource Center.
Special thanks to case manager Chrissy Gamst for her leadership and connection to the community.
Back: Brad Voorhees, Marcus Brown, John Nemo
Middle: Vanessa (PAVSA), Toby Johnson, Bailey Garcia, Charles Maddox, Andrew Salinas, Chrissy Gamst (Caseworker)
Front: Tracy (PAVSA)
Not pictured: David Doppler, Mark Staats, Moises Kinney, and Bradley Ball.
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Togo IPs Create and Launch a Loon Nest
By David Kurth
In October of 2022 my supervisor, Captain RJ Kruse, approached me with a project he thought would be beneficial to my programming area. The project was building an artificial loon nest for the Department of Natural Resources who are studying loons and nesting habits. As a Recreation Therapist, I thought it was the perfect project. We agreed it would be great for both agencies, the DNR and DOC, to coordinate on a project that has proven positive results.
In November of 2022, Spencer Rittler of the DNR, presented the project to the Incarcerated Persons in the Yankee and Quebec squads. The presentation went well, and soon the building materials were delivered. The building and launching of the nest provided an opportunity for the IPs to build skills in teamwork, communication, patience, and problem-solving.
When it was completed the Quebec squad members and I portaged canoes to Thistledew Lake and launched the artificial loon nest in the proper area for best results. Throughout the next few months, we will be checking on the nest in hopes it is being occupied.
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Shakopee Restorative Justice Committee Raises $3400 for Victim Impact Week
By Sgt. Dave Hergott
National Crime Victim's Rights Week was April 23 – April 29. Incarcerated Persons on MCF-Shakopee's Restorative Justice (RJ) Committee made posters that were on display throughout the week.
The RJ Committee is also in the final stages of completing a “food fundraiser" that was very successful. Just over 250 Incarcerated Persons placed orders, with profits exceeding $3,400. The RJ Committee plans to donate the proceeds to a Mental Health facility in the Twin Cities.
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Lino Lakes Holds Redemption Project Graduation
By Latoya Shelby
The Redemption Project graduation ceremony of the Virtues of Success program at the MCF-Lino Lakes took place on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
Virtues for Success is a 14-week course covering four core pillars: wisdom, courage, self-control, and justice. This is the first of three stages of the program. The Redemption Project's reentry program prepares the students for success upon leaving prison with the goal of reducing recidivism.
TRP Graduates:
Elliott Pierson, Andrew Neal, Calvin Boswell, Christopher Ames, Neil Klien, Bobby Brookins, James Slowinski, Seth Dilorenzo, Timothy Strand, Daniel Kennedy, Miguel Lopez, Malcolm Olatunde, David Engle, Yar Bithow, Tony Xiong, Green Kelly, Dylan Wettschreck, Jason Dixon, Michael Peterson, Leroy Richardson, Ron Powell
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St. Cloud Recognized National Crime Victims' Rights Week
By Sarah Rykken
MCF-St. Cloud recognized this year's National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW), held nationally from April 23-29, 2023, by hosting a Clothesline Project, and giving a donation to an organization that works directly with victims of crime.
Annually, Violence Free Minnesota, a statewide coalition to end relationship abuse, create safety and achieve social justice for all, releases a new edition of the Clothesline Project, a visual memorial to the past year's victims of intimate partner homicide. The project consists of a unique shirt to honor each victim, designed by a volunteer artist, or by a family member or friend in honor of their loved one. The shirts are then hung on a clothesline and displayed in a public location, to pay tribute and honor those that lost their lives in Minnesota due to intimate partner violence. MCF-St. Cloud paid tribute and honor on April 26, 2023, to those we lost in 2022.
On May 9, 2023, MCF-St. Cloud Restorative Justice Representatives and Incarcerated Individuals from the Peer Mentor group presented a donation to staff from Anna Marie's Alliance, a domestic abuse shelter located in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The goal of Anna Marie's Alliance is “to provide women who are experiencing domestic abuse and their children with a safe place to stay and the resources they need. Through systemic change, we aim to create a community where violence is not tolerated, and where every home is a safe one." Due to fundraising efforts at MCF-St. Cloud, a donation of $500 was made!
(L to R), Case Manager Laura Thielen (RJ Rep.), WOOC AWA Sarah Rykken (RJ Rep.) – Back (L to R), Warden Eddie Miles, Teacher Ben Murphy (RJ Rep.), CPD Travis Schlangen. 
Incarcerated individuals from the Rivers and Reshape Chemical Dependency treatment programs attended the event, and processed in conjunction with other Victim Impact related curriculum. 
Anna Marie’s Alliance (AMA) accepted a $500 donation from Restorative Justice (RJ) fundraising efforts done at St. Cloud. Pictured are AMA staff, RJ Representatives Laura Thielen, Ben Murphy, and Sarah Rykken, along with peer mentors who assisted with the fundraisers. -
Rush City Recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month
By Johanna Gasper
MCF-Rush City celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month by hosting the first installment of its Speaker Series on May 2. Titled “Mind Matters: A Conversation on Mental Health," the event was organized by WOOC CPD Becki Erickson and featured three speakers: Farji Sharheer, Lacey Thompson, and Jordan Hansen.
Mr. Shaheer is the CEO/Founder of Innovative SOULutions. He spoke on the topic of overcoming trauma brought on by gun violence. Ms. Thompson is the CEO/Founder of Laceys' Light and she discussed the way human emotions work and how to work through anger and conflict. Finally, Mr. Hansen, CEO/Founder of YourPath, told the audience his story of addiction and the path he took to achieve 14 years of sobriety.
The event was attended by 65 incarcerated individuals, along with multiple staff. Recruiter Victor Archibong was also present. He took photos and recorded the speakers so those incarcerated who were unable to attend in person can view the event on the offender network.
MCF-Rush City's band, Voices of Hope, provided music between orators and incarcerated individual Jermaine Ferguson served as the emcee. The attendees were able to ask questions and provided plenty of positive feedback to those that spoke.
In fact, the event was so well received that afterwards, attendees were already asking CPD Erickson when the next Speaker Series would happen. Overall, the event was well received, and the staff and incarcerated at Rush City are excited for the next installment!
