The Minnesota Department of Corrections granted an extension to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office to lower its population.

The deadline was previously Thursday. Now, the Sheriff’s Office has until Dec. 5 to get its jail population to under 600 inmates.

This all comes after the DOC filed an order citing overcrowding and safety concerns at the jail.

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As of Thursday morning, there were still more than 750 inmates being held at the facility in downtown Minneapolis. Sheriff Dawanna Witt said just days ago she was planning to appeal the deadline, and on Thursday, 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS learned that appeal for an extension was made on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, deputies are already working to move nearly 200 inmates to other county jails.

The DOC’s order says there’s a “failure to conduct timely well-being checks” connected to the deaths of seven inmates over the past two years.

James Stuart, the Executive Director of the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association, says five of those deaths were of natural causes. He said this week that other Sheriffs across the state are facing similar orders from the DOC, and his organization is considering legal action to stop it.

“I think because of the outcomes that are likely to be imposed here, the Minnesota Sheriffs might have to explore other options for resolution if the DOC cannot find a way to embrace being fair, consistent and humane for those who are incarcerated in Minnesota’s jails,” said Stuart.

The DOC sent 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS a copy of its response to the extension request, which can be read below: