minnesota department of corrections Archives

Staff Shortage Increases Overtime at Minnesota Prisons

The DOC had 113 officer vacancies as of Sept. 17.

October 21, 2019

,

ST. PAUL, Minn.–The Minnesota Department of Corrections almost doubled the overtime it paid prison staff in the past year because of a chronic staff shortage. The state’s DOC data shows it paid $12.3 million for more than 262,000 hours of overtime during fiscal year 2019. That’s up from the year before when the DOC paid $6.9 million of overtime for…

Man With 28 DWI’s Sues Minnesota Department of Corrections Over Length of Custody

In a federal civil rights lawsuit, Danny Bettcher of New York Mills says he was kept in custody for several months beyond what's permitted

August 13, 2019

TJ Nelson,

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. — The most notorious drunken driver in Minnesota history is suing the Department of Corrections. In a federal civil rights lawsuit, Danny Bettcher of New York Mills says he was kept in custody for several months beyond what’s permitted by state law. Bettcher says in court documents that he was not aware of the violation until an…

Record Use of Solitary Confinement in Minnesota Last Year

The number of solitary sentences has been going up steadily for the last two years.

August 13, 2019

,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) _ A record number of Minnesota prison inmates were placed in solitary confinement last year. The Minnesota Department of Corrections placed inmates in solitary more than 8,000 times in 2018. Minnesota Public Radio News reports the number of solitary sentences has been going up steadily for the last two years. Last session, the Minnesota Legislature passed…

Fugitives Accused of Injuring Officers in Moorhead Caught

U.S. Marshals High Plains Fugitive Task Force officers were arresting a person at 218 9th Street North when officers spotted to two others being sought, 36-year old Jesse Byzewski, and 42-year old Laura Lorsung and tried to arrest them.

June 26, 2018

TJ Nelson,

UPDATE – Two people wanted for slightly injuring a member of the U.S. Marshals Service High Plains Fugitive Task Force in Moorhead have been caught near Devils Lake. The search for 36 year–old Jesse Byzewski and 42 year–old Laura Lorsung started in North Moorhead on Monday afternoon when officers saw them while arresting someone else. The police chief in Devils Lake…

Jail Break Outside Of Twin Cities, Suspect Under Arrest

Escaped prison inmate James Mitchell has been arrested after he was seen at a Minneapolis park, according to Minneapolis police.

May 26, 2017

Site Staff,

LINO LAKES, Minn. – Escaped prison inmate James Mitchell has been arrested after he was seen at a Minneapolis park, according to Minneapolis police. Ten inmates escaped from a prison in Lino Lakes when an inmate jumped a fence, hijacked a transport van full of other prisoners and drove off. The Department of Corrections said nine of the prisoners were…