Minnesota Office of the Ombuds for Corrections - Prison Complaints

The Minnesota Office of the Ombuds for Corrections (OBFC) investigates complaints about the ten adult and one juvenile Minnesota Correctional Facilities. The page sets out the prison complaint process: the incarcerated person must first complete the Department of Corrections grievance process, and complaints about matters covered by that process will not be accepted or investigated unless there is an overwhelming reason the DOC process cannot be completed or is not being properly followed. Complaint forms are kept in each facility library and can be requested from the librarian by kite, and OBFC investigators hold regular office hours in most state prisons and travel to other facilities when needed. The office will generally not investigate on someone else's behalf without that person's consent, though it can perform welfare checks when there is imminent risk of harm. Contact details are 651-539-4520, OBFCComplaints@state.mn.us, and 540 Fairview Ave N, Suite 202, St. Paul, MN 55104, with a downloadable complaint form and Spanish-language materials.