Advocates Call for Oversight and Transparency at Faribault Correctional Facility
- Rebecca Gilbuena
- 23 hours ago
- 2 min read
Loved ones of incarcerated individuals and community advocates are speaking out about alleged policy violations, safety risks, and a lack of accountability at Faribault Correctional Facility.
“We are not here to create conflict. We are here to prevent harm. We are here because lives are on the line. We are here because our loved ones deserve safety, fairness, and basic human dignity,” said Alissa Washington of the Wrongfully Incarcerated and Over-Sentenced Families Council.
Allegations of Retaliation and Policy Violations
Central to the concerns is the case of Cornelius Jackson. Advocates, including the Twin Cities Coalition for Justice, allege Jackson was retaliated against for advocating on behalf of himself and other incarcerated individuals.
According to advocates, Jackson was accused of stealing a $7 pack of crackers and placed in solitary confinement for several days without evidence. They say surveillance footage later confirmed he was not responsible, leading to his release from solitary.
Despite that, Jackson still faced consequences, including the confiscation of personal items such as his shoes and glasses—items they say must now be repurchased.
“This is not just about property. This is about financial harm. This is about dignity. This is about basic respect,” Washington said during the press conference. “Families already struggling are forced to come out of pocket again and again to replace what the system is throwing away.”
They also report he lost access to programming, stability, and his preferred cellmate. In a separate concern, advocates say Jackson has since been reassigned to a cell with an individual they describe as affiliated with a white supremacist group, raising additional safety fears.
Lack of Communication
Washington also described repeated, unsuccessful attempts to contact Commissioner Schnell’s office.
“I’ve been calling ever since Cornelius was in solitary confinement, and no one has returned my calls,” she said. “They do this so we give up—but we’re not giving up.”
Advocates argue that without direct engagement from leadership, facilities may operate inconsistently with department policies.
“Where is the oversight? If policies aren’t being enforced, they’re not policies,” Washington said. “Paul Schnell, there needs to be oversight of what's going on in these prisons. Our loved ones are human beings. They have rights.”
Calls for Accountability
Organizers are demanding a direct meeting with Commissioner Schnell, restoration of Jackson’s privileges, compensation for discarded property, and stronger oversight to ensure consistent enforcement of policies across facilities.
They are also encouraging community members to pay attention to conditions inside prisons and support impacted families.
“We are done being silent,” Washington said. “We are going to keep showing up… until there is accountability, until there is transparency, and until our loved ones are treated like human beings.”
In a statement, the Minnesota Department of Corrections said it is aware of the concerns raised and “takes those concerns seriously.”
The department added that Commissioner Schnell has a “long and well-documented history of engaging with advocacy groups” and remains committed to transparency and ongoing dialogue. However, the DOC noted it does not publicly comment on individual cases, stating such matters must be addressed through established internal channels.