FARIBAULT, Minn. — Inmate advocates are speaking out, saying that overdoses are forcing the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Faribault into frequent lockdowns.
The incarcerated men are kept in their cells, sometimes for hours on end. The Department of Corrections (DOC) said that understaffing is the reason for these periodic lockdowns.
KARE 11 asked the DOC about the overdose claims but has not yet received a response.
The Minnesota Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee said these lockdowns can be detrimental to the incarcerated men's health, forcing them to go without socializing, emailing, showering and joining in scheduled programs during these times.
The group, in addition to friends and family members, are calling for immediate action.
One of those people, Gerri, said her loved one is among the inmate population serving time in the facility. Gerri said he's trying to better his life by taking advantage of educational and programming opportunities, but his progress is being stalled by the continued lockdowns.
"When they're locked down they're unable to attend any of their programming... It's destroying people's little sliver of hope that they're moving toward betterment by confining them in a little space alone."
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