Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act

Why MRRA?

The Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act seeks to promote safety and personal transformation by incentivizing individuals to engage in services that have been proven effective in reducing misconduct and recidivism. Our current system primarily focuses on negative consequences for failing to participate in important programming. MRRA changes the motivation from avoidance of a consequence to achievement of a benefit, a potentially powerful change in mindset. MRRA is earned, not automatic.

Key Components of MRRA:

Individualized Rehabilitation Plan (IRP) – Based on assessment results, individuals will work with their case manager and a multidisciplinary team to develop an IRP, comprised of the person’s case plan and release plan.

Earned Incentive Early Release – Individuals can earn an earlier release from prison by completing the goals outlined in their case plan. In addition to the completion of goals through meaningful participation in treatment, programs, and/or services, individuals will have to demonstrate behavior change and progress to earn earlier release, resulting in release up to 17% earlier.

Supervision Abatement – Once released, individuals can earn a shortened period of community supervision by completing the goals outlined in their supervision plan.

Key Takeaways from the September 2024 MRRA Survey:

Thank you to everyone who responded to our most recent survey, conducted Sept. 27 – Oct. 7, 2024.

Many individuals expressed optimism and support for MRRA, seeing it as a positive change that can lead to better outcomes for incarcerated individuals and society as a whole. A majority of respondents believe that MRRA will incentivize people to make positive change and will improve safety in both facilities and communities.

Some respondents expressed concerns about the implementation of the MRRA, including issues with staffing shortages, lack of clarity on how the program will be rolled out, and delays in its implementation.

The concept of rehabilitation and second chances is central to the feedback, with many expressing the belief that individuals who demonstrate positive behavior and engage in rehabilitation efforts should be rewarded with reduced sentences or early release.

People expressed concerns about fairness in sentencing, concerns about disparities in the justice system, and called for a more equitable approach to incarceration and rehabilitation.

Overall, the feedback reflects a range of perspectives, from cautious optimism to skepticism, highlighting the complexity of implementing reforms in the criminal justice system.

  1. Based on survey results, the current understanding is that over 97 percent of those who took the survey agree or strongly agree MRRA is an overall good idea.
    • Pie chart showing 61% strongly agree, 33% agree, 5% unsure, 1% disagree.
  2. The majority of people who took our survey agree with or believe that:
    • MRRA will make our facilities and communities safer (76% of survey responses agree or strongly agree).
    • MRAA incentives will encourage incarcerated individuals to follow the rules and focus on positive behavior/choices (84% of survey responses agree or strongly agree).
    • The choices incarcerated individuals make matter and what the do now could impact their ability to earn MRRA incentives (92% of survey responses agree or strongly agree).
  3. How and what do we need to focus on?
    • Looking at support systems and healthy relationships those who are incarcerated have is important.
    • We need to focus on how we can help those incarcerated help themselves to achieve stability in their lives.
    • Personal Accountaiblity, Emotional Regulation, Communication Skills, Positive Peer Influence, Educational and Program Completion, Healthy Relationships, Goal Achievement, Recidivism Risk Reduction, and Community Engagement.
    • Changing long term behavior patterns and attitudes takes time and practice, by both those incarcerated and staff.

Wednesday, September 25 Virtual Town Hall

On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell hosted a virtual Town Hall. The commissioner was joined by MRRA project leads to provide an update on the development of the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA).

The recording of this live event is available below. The slides from the presentation can be viewed here.



Why MRRA?

The Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act seeks to promote safety and personal transformation by incentivizing individuals to engage in services that have been proven effective in reducing misconduct and recidivism. Our current system primarily focuses on negative consequences for failing to participate in important programming. MRRA changes the motivation from avoidance of a consequence to achievement of a benefit, a potentially powerful change in mindset. MRRA is earned, not automatic.

Key Components of MRRA:

Individualized Rehabilitation Plan (IRP) – Based on assessment results, individuals will work with their case manager and a multidisciplinary team to develop an IRP, comprised of the person’s case plan and release plan.

Earned Incentive Early Release – Individuals can earn an earlier release from prison by completing the goals outlined in their case plan. In addition to the completion of goals through meaningful participation in treatment, programs, and/or services, individuals will have to demonstrate behavior change and progress to earn earlier release, resulting in release up to 17% earlier.

Supervision Abatement – Once released, individuals can earn a shortened period of community supervision by completing the goals outlined in their supervision plan.

Key Takeaways from the September 2024 MRRA Survey:

Thank you to everyone who responded to our most recent survey, conducted Sept. 27 – Oct. 7, 2024.

Many individuals expressed optimism and support for MRRA, seeing it as a positive change that can lead to better outcomes for incarcerated individuals and society as a whole. A majority of respondents believe that MRRA will incentivize people to make positive change and will improve safety in both facilities and communities.

Some respondents expressed concerns about the implementation of the MRRA, including issues with staffing shortages, lack of clarity on how the program will be rolled out, and delays in its implementation.

The concept of rehabilitation and second chances is central to the feedback, with many expressing the belief that individuals who demonstrate positive behavior and engage in rehabilitation efforts should be rewarded with reduced sentences or early release.

People expressed concerns about fairness in sentencing, concerns about disparities in the justice system, and called for a more equitable approach to incarceration and rehabilitation.

Overall, the feedback reflects a range of perspectives, from cautious optimism to skepticism, highlighting the complexity of implementing reforms in the criminal justice system.

  1. Based on survey results, the current understanding is that over 97 percent of those who took the survey agree or strongly agree MRRA is an overall good idea.
    • Pie chart showing 61% strongly agree, 33% agree, 5% unsure, 1% disagree.
  2. The majority of people who took our survey agree with or believe that:
    • MRRA will make our facilities and communities safer (76% of survey responses agree or strongly agree).
    • MRAA incentives will encourage incarcerated individuals to follow the rules and focus on positive behavior/choices (84% of survey responses agree or strongly agree).
    • The choices incarcerated individuals make matter and what the do now could impact their ability to earn MRRA incentives (92% of survey responses agree or strongly agree).
  3. How and what do we need to focus on?
    • Looking at support systems and healthy relationships those who are incarcerated have is important.
    • We need to focus on how we can help those incarcerated help themselves to achieve stability in their lives.
    • Personal Accountaiblity, Emotional Regulation, Communication Skills, Positive Peer Influence, Educational and Program Completion, Healthy Relationships, Goal Achievement, Recidivism Risk Reduction, and Community Engagement.
    • Changing long term behavior patterns and attitudes takes time and practice, by both those incarcerated and staff.

Wednesday, September 25 Virtual Town Hall

On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell hosted a virtual Town Hall. The commissioner was joined by MRRA project leads to provide an update on the development of the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA).

The recording of this live event is available below. The slides from the presentation can be viewed here.



Page last updated: 12 Nov 2024, 09:25 AM