A prison in Minnesota has been placed under emergency lockdown after approximately 100 inmates refused to return to their cells. The incident took place at the Stillwater correctional facility, and members of a crisis negotiation team were deployed to address the situation. The reasons behind the inmate protest remain unclear, but advocates suggest that it is in response to poor prison conditions, including excessive heat, limited access to showers, and unclean drinking water.

The facility is located in an area where temperatures could reach up to 100F (37.7C), and the increasing frequency of dangerously hot conditions has drawn attention to the need for prison reform. Inmates have been on intermittent lockdowns due to staffing issues, exacerbating tensions. The union representing Minnesota correctional officers has blamed understaffing for the incident and claims that chronic understaffing has compromised the safety and well-being of both staff and inmates.

The Department of Corrections assures that the situation within the facility is currently stable, with all inmates returning to their cells.