Citing danger from COVID-19, the American Civil Liberties Union is asking a judge to order the release of some prisoners at the Moose Lake Correctional Facility who are close to their release dates, including at least one person with underlying medical conditions. A-C-L-U Minnesota Legal Director Teresa Nelson says the state also needs to reduce the number of inmates at Moose Lake. “There’s over a thousand people in the facility right now,” she says. “We know that, once it’s in a facility, COVID-19 will spread like wildfire, and we’re seeing that now at Moose Lake.” Nelson says 12 Moose Lake inmates have tested positive for COVID and 31 more are presumed to have it, along with a reported 11 correctional staff.
Nelson says Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell has put proposals before the legislature to address the situation, and is exercising the authority he has. “To his credit, I think the commissioner is working hard… but we’re running out of time. We need swift action,” says Nelson.
Key Republicans haven’t been reachable for comment, but Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Warren Limmer said earlier the issue can be addressed “when things calm down. Our number-one goal should be the safety of our citizens.” Governor Tim Walz said if the legislature doesn’t act, he’s open to using executive order to free non-violent inmates who are within six months of their expected release.