Corrections commissioner on COVID exposure inside Minnesota’s prisons

At least eight inmates have died this year after contracting COVID-19 in Minnesota's prisons, and more than 4,000 have been infected with the virus including corrections staff. 

Since March, most of Minnesota's facilities have remained on semi-permanent lockdown. Inmate movements have been restricted, educational programming has been disrupted and in-person visitation has been suspended to stop the spread of the virus. 

And these measures are also taking a toll on family and friends who are not able to regularly see their loved ones. 

Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell and MPR News reporter Kirsti Marohn joined host Angela Davis to talk about what is being done to protect the state’s inmates and where they are in line for the vaccine.

Guests:

• Paul Schnell is the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

• Kirsti Marohn is a MPR News reporter.

Use the audio player above to listen to the program.

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