Hennepin County Sheriff appealing Thursday deadline of lowering inmate population

Thursday is the deadline for the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office to get its jail population to under 600 inmates.

That’s according to an order citing overcrowding and safety concerns that was filed just last week by the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC).

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As of Thursday morning, there were still more than 750 inmates being held at the facility in downtown Minneapolis. Sheriff Dewanna 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.

A decision on that appeal is expected sometime on Thursday.

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.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has reached out to the DOC for comment and will update this article when one is received.