Minnesota
Two years after law passed, Minnesota still lacks early prison release program
The department plans to integrate the early release program into each prison’s daily operations.
“This should not be done by a specialized unit,” he said. “This should be built into the very nature of the way we do what we do.”
“I saw so many people get their hopes up as far as having release plans to go home, to be called into their caseworker’s office and told, ‘I’m sorry, this isn’t happening. I’m sorry, you don’t qualify. I‘m sorry, the policy is not ready,’” said Darla Holland, who was released from prison five weeks ago after serving a sentence for fraud.
Elijah Milsap, who has been incarcerated for nine years at Oak Park Heights prison on a sex trafficking charge, said the MRRA gives him hope. But he is confused as to what it actually means.
“I think there needs to be clearer qualifications as far as what you get for the programs that you do,” he said.