‘Deeper dive’ into corrections issues focus of public safety informational hearing

The House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee received an update on Minnesota’s prison system during an informational meeting Tuesday afternoon. No official action was taken.

Members heard from officials who oversee the prison system, officers and staff who work within it, and from those who have been incarcerated or their families.

Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL-Shoreview), the committee chair, said the hearing would allow a “deeper dive” into corrections issues and wanted to devote more time to those issues than can typically be found during the regular legislative session.

“Even having a full afternoon dedicated to it isn’t enough, we’re just going to be able to scratch the surface,” Moller said. “We really want to think about both short term and long-term solutions for corrections.”