MN sheriffs call for Department of Corrections commissioner to resign
MN jail commissioner asked to step down
The Minnesota Sheriff’s Association is calling on the department of corrections commissioner to step down in a move that is largely symbolic. FOX 9’s Mike Manzoni explains the latest.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota's elected sheriffs have expressed a vote of no confidence in Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner (DOC) Paul Schnell, citing ongoing issues with the DOC's leadership and enforcement actions.
Vote of no confidence
What we know:
The Minnesota Sheriffs' Association (MSA) held a meeting during their winter conference, where a vote of no confidence was cast against Commissioner Schnell. This decision reflects concerns over the DOC's inconsistent enforcement actions and lack of cooperation with county sheriffs, a press release says.
The MSA is calling for Commissioner Schnell to resign or for his removal by the governor, citing his failure to lead effectively and collaborate with the sheriffs.
"There was a roll call vote by the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association at our recent conference. It reflects a clear message: the interpretations of 2,911 rules and the DOC inspection process have become burdensome and disconnected from operational realities for safe and effective jail management. Every sheriff who voted made an independent decision based on their own facts," Sheriff Lon Thiele, president of the MSA, said in a news release.
Members of the Sheriffs' Association have expressed frustration over the DOC's decisions, which they claim have led to unnecessary costs for local taxpayers and challenges for jail operations. The MSA claims Commissioner Schnell is "detrimental to public safety in Minnesota," as well as "effective jail operations and fiscally prudent jail management," among other things, according to the release.
What they're saying:
In a statement on Monday night, the DOC pushed back against claims that its actions are arbitrary, noting that its actions "are rooted in law, supported by documentation, and driven by the obligation to prevent harm, protect life and reduce legal and financial risk to counties and the state."
It continued: "This moment should not distract from the real issue at hand: ensuring that people held in Minnesota jails do not suffer preventable harm and that counties are not exposed to unnecessary legal and financial risk. DOC will not retreat from its responsibility to enforce minimum standards simply because doing so is unpopular or inconvenient."
Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's office told FOX 9 in a statement: "Gov. Walz values the role county sheriffs play in public safety and believes strong state-local partnerships are essential.
"The Governor remains confident in Commissioner Schnell’s leadership and continues to encourage good-faith engagement to address concerns and ensure Minnesota’s correctional system remains safe, fair, and fiscally responsible."