Minnesota jail goes into lockdown as inmates stage protest

The Stillwater correctional facility in Minnesota has been placed under emergency lockdown after approximately 100 inmates refused to return to their cells. The reasons behind the protest remain unclear, but advocates believe it is in response to the poor prison conditions. Inmates cite excessive heat, limited access to basic amenities like showers and ice, and unclean drinking water as major issues. The incident has drawn attention to the need for prison reform and has raised concerns about the welfare of prisoners in the face of extreme weather conditions. The facility is located in Baywater, about 25 miles east of Minneapolis, where temperatures have been soaring and a heat advisory is in effect. The situation highlights chronic understaffing and the restrictive measures placed on inmates due to insufficient security personnel. The Department of Corrections has assured that the staff is safe, but all common areas in the unit have been evacuated and additional emergency teams have been stationed outside the facility. It remains to be seen how the authorities will handle the situation and address the inmates’ concerns.