South Central Minnesota counties are rallying after the state announced it would cease funding the Minnesota Department of Corrections Sentence to Serve Program in mid June.
The STS program is a sentencing alternative providing courts with the option to sentence selected nonviolent offenders to a period of supervised work in the community. The work involves public projects that otherwise might not be completed.
By participating in STS, people can reduce their jail sentence and/or work off financial obligations, including jail per diem, fines, correctional fees and restitution, according to the Department of Corrections.
Currently, the Department of Corrections funds 25% of the programs cost, with counties covering the remaining 75%. However, the DOC notes that participation and eligibility in the program has steadily declined since 2019. In that year, 5,600 people completed STS and in 2024, the number was only 2,800.
The STS program runs in 18 counties statewide, including Faribault, Blue Earth and Brown.
Faribault County Officials are hopeful that they’ll be able to maintain a similar program and estimates it’ll cost $125,000 for the county to take on the expense of STS without the state. Blue Earth and Brown Counites also look to keep a program similar to STS to continue without state help.
The STS program will end June 18th.
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