BCA, Minnesota DOC investigating possible contraband in Stillwater facility

A letter from Minnesota’s Department of Corrections commissioner says authorities are investigating possible contraband entering one of its prisons.

According to the letter, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Department of Corrections Office of Special Investigations (OSI) investigated MCF-Stillwater on Thursday.

The OSI and BCA investigation focuses on a possible coordinated scheme to bring and distribute contraband into the Stillwater corrections facility, though the scope of the suspected scheme is still unknown.

Since the investigation is ongoing, Commissioner Paul Schnell said no additional details besides the investigation taking place would be shared.

“I recognize that DOC is a close-knit organization and that news of an investigation like this naturally generates speculation,” Schnell wrote in a letter to staff. “Out of respect for the integrity of the...