Rep. Debra Hilstrom (DFL-Brooklyn Center)
The state would lease the currently-closed private prison in Appleton and re-open it using state employees, under a measure headed for a vote on the Minnesota House floor. Brooklyn Center Democrat Debra Hilstrom argues the state should take steps to reduce its prison population instead. Hilstrom says “re-opening a private prison is the wrong thing to do in Minnesota.” Others point to “horror stories” of how inmates were treated at Appleton. Vernon Center Republican Tony Cornish responds Democrats should worry about people in Appleton who lost their jobs at the prison, instead of the rights of “some people that have committed some pretty serious crimes.” Governor Mark Dayton strongly opposes re-opening the Appleton prison.