MCF-Shakopee reopened in-person visits for prisoners on a limited bases Wednesday for the first time since being restricted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We're cautiously taking steps to open up and do visiting," said Paul Schnell, Minnesota's Department of Corrections Commissioner. "It's very limited and people need to schedule their visits in advance."
Schnell told Dave Lee during the WCCO Morning News that they're prepared to go back to being more restrictive if necessary.
"Anytime there are two or more positives in a facility among staff or population, visiting will be closed until that's addressed," said Schnell.
Masks, COVID-19 screenings, and social distancing are all part of the in-place plan for anyone who wants to visit someone inside a prison.
Minnesota prisons have certainly felt the wrath of the pandemic over the last several months.
In late June, Leroy Bergstrom, 71, died at a hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 while in custody at MCF-Faribault. Bergstrom was the second person from that facility to die from the virus.
"Our large outbreaks at Faribault and St. Cloud have all been controlled and the people infected have recovered," Schnell said. "We're concerned now with community spread as more things open up. Unintentionally, asymptomatic people bring COVID-19 into the facility and that's the major concern."
In-person visits began at some DOC facilities the week of July 22. More on the specifics of visiting a DOC facility during the pandemic can be found here.