At a State Capitol hearing this morning, Twin Cities protesters who say privately-run prisons are a form of slavery interrupted western Minnesota residents who want the Appleton prison reopened. House Public Safety Committee Chairman Tony Cornish gaveled a recess as demonstrators shouted. Just before that, Paul Raymo with the Appleton Area Chamber of Commerce told lawmakers Appleton is “a state-of-the-art prison and it’s sitting empty. Minnesota has a severe problem with overcrowding in its jails and a problem with inmates with mental illness.” Governor Mark Dayton opposes re-opening the Appleton prison, arguing Minnesota should lower its prison population by reducing sentences for some non-violent drug offenses.