The Minnesota Department of Corrections has announced plans to close the Stillwater prison, the state’s second-largest correctional facility, due to escalating operational costs and deteriorating conditions. The closure will occur in phases over four years, with full shutdown expected by 2029. This decision comes as part of a broader state budget deal aimed at reallocating funds in light of significant maintenance costs and unsafe conditions within the facility. State leaders have emphasized the need for these changes to address fiscal challenges, leading to the phased closure of what has been an operational site for 111 years.