Sunday saw the emergency lockdown of Stillwater Prison.
Emergency Response Underway as Inmates Take Over Stillwater Prison Unit
On a Sunday morning in the State of Minnesota, chaos erupted as reports came in about a takeover at Stillwater Prison. Extra police, firefighters, and various emergency teams raced to the scene to address the situation. The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) swiftly placed the facility under emergency lockdown, reacting to an alarming development where approximately 100 inmates in one living unit refused to return to their cells.
In the midst of this tense situation, the DOC confirmed the safety of two correctional officers who managed to secure themselves in the unit’s control area. They remained in communication with the prison’s command personnel while all other DOC staff were evacuated from the common areas of the compromised unit.
Thankfully, there were no reported injuries at this time, providing some relief amid the growing tension. At the scene, WCCO’s Beret Leone observed a fleet of ambulances and fire trucks stationed outside the facility, a testament to the gravity of the situation.
DOC spokesperson Andy Skoogman revealed that the crisis required immediate attention. To facilitate communication and resolve the standoff, the Crisis Negotiation Team was activated. Additionally, in an abundance of caution, the DOC’s Special Operations Response Team was also called into action to address the evolving situation.
AFSCME Council 5, which represents Minnesota correctional officers, released a statement in the wake of the incident. They placed blame on chronic understaffing within the Minnesota Department of Corrections, asserting that this incident at Stillwater Prison is a reflection of the ongoing problem. Insufficient security staff led to tensions among inmates, as programming and recreation time were restricted due to the staffing shortage.
The union emphasized that achieving transformative offender programming alongside sufficient facility security is essential, and both aspects must coexist. The incident, they argue, highlights the urgent need for addressing understaffing concerns in correctional facilities.
Stillwater Prison, situated just southeast of Stillwater, houses approximately 1,200 inmates, according to department records. However, it is no stranger to high-profile incidents. In 2018, the facility was the tragic scene of an officer’s murder when Joseph Gomm, 45, was brutally beaten to death with a hammer by Edward Johnson, a stark reminder of the challenges faced by both inmates and staff within the correctional system.
As authorities work diligently to resolve this latest crisis, the safety and well-being of all those involved remain paramount. The situation underscores the importance of addressing the systemic issues within the corrections system, particularly staffing shortages, to prevent future incidents and ensure the security and rehabilitation of inmates.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
