Days of Feces, food and water refusal lead to DOC probe and Otter Tail County Jail’s capacity-reduction from condition license order.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) has taken decisive action against the Otter Tail County Jail in response to an incident with egregious violations of minimum standards, culminating in the placement of the facility’s license on conditional status, effective immediately.
This determination follows an in-depth investigation into reported misconduct involving an inmate, raising significant concerns about the safety and welfare of detainees under the facility’s care.
Under the authority of Minnesota Statutes section 241.021, subdivision 1a(a), the DOC has downgraded Otter Tail County Jail’s license to a Class I Facility status, necessitating a substantial reduction in capacity and imposing stringent conditions for compliance.
This decision stems from a series of violations detailed by the DOC.
The incident under scrutiny unfolded between February 10th – 12th, 2024, and involved the deliberate withholding of meals from an inmate for over 50 hours as punitive action for refusing to clean his cell—a clear violation of Minnesota Rules chapter 2911.
Moreover, the inmate was denied access to daily showers and subjected to unsanitary conditions, including the presence of feces on the floor of his cell and within the facility’s dayroom for an extended duration.
Despite the inmate’s alarming behavior, appropriate medical attention was not provided promptly, raising further concerns about the facility’s adherence to regulations governing healthcare services in correctional settings.
A comprehensive review conducted by the DOC unveiled a disturbing sequence of events, including documented instances of the inmate ingesting his own feces.
Despite the gravity of these circumstances, proper medical attention was not promptly administered, constituting a further breach of regulations governing the delivery of health care services in correctional facilities.
In response to these egregious infractions, the DOC has mandated a series of corrective actions aimed at ensuring the safety and dignity of inmates while mitigating the risk of similar incidents in the future.
These measures include the submission of a capacity-reduction plan by March 18, 2024, to facilitate the relocation of current inmates and the initiation of internal investigations into the reported incident.
Additionally, the facility is required to implement a comprehensive staff training program covering topics such as inmate supervision and the identification of mental health concerns.
The decision to place Otter Tail County Jail on conditional status underscores the DOC’s unwavering commitment to upholding minimum standards and safeguarding the rights of individuals in correctional facilities.
The facility’s adherence to the terms of the conditional license will be rigorously monitored, with the possibility of reinstating a Class III Facility license contingent upon the expeditious and satisfactory resolution of all identified deficiencies.
In an interview and video online, Otter Tail County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons stated, “I regret that this happened, and we are going to take full ownership,”.
Fitzgibbons hopes the jail’s regular status to be reinstated as soon as possible after the deadline of April 15th.
Link to Full report below:
DOC – Otter Tail County Jail Conditional License Order
The violations observed at the Otter Tail County Jail not only necessitated the facility’s placement on conditional status but also underscore profound concerns regarding civil and human rights infringements. These violations, including the deliberate withholding of meals, denial of showers, and exposure to unsanitary conditions, represent a flagrant disregard for the basic rights and dignity of those under custody.
Moreover, the failure to promptly address the inmate’s health concerns, despite clear indications of distress, reflects a failure to uphold fundamental civil liberties and human rights principles.
Moving forward, it is imperative that corrective actions are swiftly implemented to rectify these deficiencies and ensure full compliance with established standards.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections’ decisive response underscores its commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of all individuals within correctional facilities, reaffirming the importance of upholding professional standards and ethical conduct in the administration of justice.