This video provides information about Minnesota's community notification process. For other information about level 3 offenders, click here.

In March, 2010 census forms will be delivered to Minnesota residents. The form includes 10 short questions such as name, age, date of birth, race, and household relationship. If the completed form is not mailed back, a census taker may follow up with the household. The census bureau will work with the DOC to count inmates in Minnesota state prisons. Inmates are counted as part of the community where they are incarcerated, not by their home communities. The census, which is required by the U.S. Constitution, has been taken every 10 years since 1790. The information gathered is used to determine representation in the U.S. Congress and allocate federal and state funding. More information about the census can be found at www.mn2010census.org.

Corrections Commissioner Joan Fabian has appointed Becky Dooley to serve as warden of the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Willow River/Moose Lake, effective January 5, 2010. To read the news release, click here.     

The Department of Corrections (DOC) is committed to preserving the state’s natural assets as well as protecting citizen health and safety. An Environmental “Green” Initiatives Backgrounder has been created to highlight the department’s efforts in recycling, waste reduction, resource conservation, and regulatory compliance. For example, over a two-year period, green initiatives have helped reduce garbage at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Rush City by 30.6 percent. More information is available in the new backgrounder.

November 15-22 is National Restorative Justice Week. Minnesota correctional facilities will host victim/survivor presentations describing the impact of crime on victims. Guests will also share their experiences involving the victim-offender dialogue and apology letter processes. In addition, offender restorative justice committees will donate quilts to community organizations such domestic violence shelters. Restorative justice is a framework that engages victims, offenders and the community in repairing the harm caused by crime. For more information, view this department backgrounder.

The Minnesota Corrections Association (MCA) Fall Training Institute was held October 28-29. At the event, awards were presented to professionals and programs for their contributions to corrections in Minnesota. Two Department of Corrections staff were presented individual awards – field services Northern Regional Manager Andy Doom, Corrections Person of the Year, and Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF)-Togo Captain Terry "Sully" Sullivan, Professional Achievement-Corrections Facility. The service dog training program Anything’s Pawsable, a partnership between the MCF-Faribault and Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota, was awarded the President’s Award.

   To view a full list of award recipients, click here. More photos are available here.

Commissioner Joan Fabian has appointed Mark Thielen to serve as warden of the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Faribault, effective November 13, 2009. For more information, click here.

The Combined Charities Campaign kicked off October 1. This month-long event allows state employees to donate to the charity or charities of their choice through payroll deduction. Each year, thousands of state employees use the campaign to make personal donations to improve communities and help those in need throughout Minnesota. More information about Combined Charities and how to donate is available at www.charities.state.mn.us.

In mid-September, a mock-hostage training was held for Department of Corrections' staff. Participants included the department's Special Operations Response Teams, Special Operations Groups, Crisis Negotiator Teams, and Marksman/Observer Teams. Training was held at the Scott County Public Safety Training Center in Jordan, Minnesota, and prepares participants for dangerous situations within the facilities.

Commissioner Joan Fabian has appointed Bruce Reiser to serve as warden of the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Rush City, effective September 16, 2009. For more information, click here.

Wanted: Fugitive Willie A. Johnson. For details, click here. Photo was taken on 6-1-09 in a Stillwater area bank. Call 911 or the DOC 24-hour tipline at 651-603-0026 if you have information on Johnson or other fugitives.