Worker: Safety at security hospital has deteriorated in recent years

Minnesota Security Hospital
The Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter, Minn.
Courtesy Department of Human Services

Concerns about dangerous conditions for workers at the Minnesota Security Hospital continue after an assault left a security counselor severely injured Monday night.

Officials from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents employees at the psychiatric hospital, said Monday that 66 staffers have been injured so far this year.

The St. Peter, Minn., hospital is a secure facility for people considered dangerous to themselves and others.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services says it's investigating the assault.

MPR News' Phil Picardi spoke Thursday morning with Tim Headlee, who has worked as a security counselor at the hospital for more than a decade.

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