2006 Minnesota Statutes

CHAPTER 641. COUNTY JAILS

641.01 CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE; PRISONERS PLACED IN JAIL, REPORTS.
The county board of each county is authorized to construct, purchase, or lease, regulate and
maintain, at the expense of the county, a jail for the safekeeping of prisoners, and also, adjoining
and connected to it, a residence for the use of the sheriff.
Any peace officer placing a prisoner in the jail shall report immediately to the officer's
superior officer concerning the fact of that placement. No prisoner shall be detained without a
jailer or custodian present in the jail, awake and alert at all times, capable of responding to the
reasonable needs of the prisoner.
History: (10947) RL s 5462; 1955 c 425 s 1; 1980 c 602 s 1

641.02 FUGITIVES FROM JUSTICE, SAFEKEEPING; FEES.
Any county jail may be used for the safekeeping of fugitives from justice in this state, in
accordance with the provisions of any act of Congress. The officer holding any such fugitive in
custody shall pay the county $2 as a commitment fee, and a fee to be determined pursuant to
section 641.03 for the use of the county, for the fugitive's board.
History: (10848) RL s 5463; 1955 c 425 s 2; 1959 c 499 s 1; 1975 c 94 s 3; 1986 c 444

641.03 FEDERAL PRISONERS; FEES.
When any person is committed to any jail by any process issued under authority of the United
States, the sheriff or jailer shall receive such person into custody, and safely keep the person until
discharged by due course of law, subject in all respects to the same liabilities and remedies as
though committed under process issued under state authority. The United States shall pay to the
county the minimum sum of $5 per day for each prisoner so kept and boarded. Provided, that
in any county of this state, the sheriff shall at the request of the county board of commissioners
determine the average daily per capita cost for the food, clothing, medical and incidental expense
for the care and maintenance of persons committed to the county jail for the preceding year. The
amount found to be the average daily per capita cost of such committed persons shall be paid to
the county by the United States for each prisoner so kept and boarded during the current year.
History: (10849) RL s 5464; 1917 c 304 s 1; 1931 c 91 s 1; 1955 c 425 s 3; 1957 c 225 s
1; 1959 c 499 s 2; 1971 c 60 s 1; 1975 c 94 s 4; 1986 c 444

641.04 COMMITMENT PRESERVED.
Every instrument, or attested copy thereof, by which a prisoner is committed or liberated,
shall be endorsed, filed, and safely stored by the sheriff or jailer, and delivered to the sheriff's or
jailer's successor. When the process by which any prisoner is committed is required to be returned
to the court, the sheriff or jailer shall duly certify and keep a copy thereof which shall be prima
facie evidence of the sheriff's or jailer's right to retain the prisoner in custody.
History: (10850) RL s 5465; 1980 c 602 s 2; 1986 c 444

641.05 RECORD OF INMATES; RETURN TO COURT.
Every sheriff shall, at the expense of the county, maintain a permanent record of all persons
committed to any jail under the sheriff's charge. It shall contain the name of every person
committed, by what authority, residence, date of commitment, and, if for a criminal offense, a
description of the person, when and by what authority liberated, and, in case of escape, the time
and manner thereof. At the opening of each term of district court the sheriff shall make a certified
transcript therefrom to such court, showing all cases therein not previously disposed of. Every
sheriff who neglects or refuses to so report shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
History: (10851) RL s 5466; 1985 c 113 s 2; 1986 c 444

641.06 APPOINTMENT OF EMPLOYEES; COMPENSATION.
The sheriff of a county maintaining a jail, if a male, shall appoint a competent woman
as women's jailer, who, under the sheriff's direction, shall have exclusive charge of all female
prisoners. The sheriff, if a female, shall appoint a competent man as men's jailer, who, under the
sheriff's direction, shall have exclusive charge of all male prisoners. Jailers shall hold office
during the pleasure of the sheriff and may be removed at any time by the sheriff.
History: (10852) RL s 5467; 1907 c 257 s 1; 1913 c 332 s 1; 1955 c 425 s 4; 1969 c 1151 s
8; 1980 c 602 s 3; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 49 s 17

641.07 PRISONERS, LABOR.
Every able bodied male prisoner over 16 years of age confined in any county jail or statutory
city lockup under judgment of any court or other tribunal authorized to imprison for the violation
of any law, ordinance, bylaw, or police regulation, may be required to work for not more than ten
hours per day. The court or tribunal, when passing judgment of imprisonment for nonpayment of
fine or otherwise, shall determine and specify whether or not the imprisonment shall be at hard
labor. The labor may be in the jail or jail yard, upon public roads and streets, public buildings,
grounds, or elsewhere in the county. Upon request, persons awaiting trial may be allowed to
perform labor. Each prisoner performing labor may be paid a reasonable compensation by the
county if imprisoned in violation of state law or awaiting trial upon a charge thereof, and by the
city if confined for the violation of any ordinance, bylaw, or police regulation. The compensation
shall be paid to the spouse, family, or dependents of the prisoner, or any other person the court
sentencing the prisoner directs. It shall be in an amount that the court determines. It shall be
allowed by the board of county commissioners or the governing body of the city upon order of
the court.
History: (10853) RL s 5468; 1913 c 373 s 1; 1955 c 425 s 5; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1983 c
359 s 147; 1986 c 444

641.08 SUPERVISION.
When a sentence is for violation of a state law, and the prisoner is confined in a county
jail, such labor shall be performed under the direction of the county board, and superintended
by the sheriff, who shall furnish necessary materials and tools at the expense of the county, and
the county shall be entitled to the benefit thereof. When the sentence is for a violation of an
ordinance, bylaw, or regulation of a city, such labor shall be performed under the direction of its
governing body, and superintended by the chief of police, who shall furnish the materials at the
expense of such city, which shall be entitled to the benefit thereof.
History: (10854) RL s 5469; 1913 c 373 s 2; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 2005 c 10 art 2 s 4

641.09 POWER OF OFFICERS.
The officer in charge of prisoners so sentenced to labor may use all reasonable means
necessary to prevent escape or enforce obedience. For refusal to labor or obey necessary orders in
reference thereto, a prisoner may be kept in solitary confinement but shall not be so confined more
than ten days for any one offense, nor more than 90 days in all.
History: (10855) RL s 5470; 1978 c 778 s 3; 1982 c 527 s 2

641.10 PAYMENT FOR LABOR; PROTECTION.
For each day's labor the prisoner shall be credited $3 on any judgment for fine and costs and,
when imprisoned in default of payment of a fine or fine and costs, the prisoner shall be discharged
when the prisoner has performed sufficient labor to pay the same. The officer in charge of such
prisoners shall protect them from insult and annoyance while at labor or going to and returning
therefrom. Every person who shall insult, annoy, or communicate with such prisoners, after
being by such officers commanded to desist, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by
imprisonment for not more than five days or by fine of not more than $10.
History: (10856) RL s 5471; 1955 c 425 s 6; 1986 c 444

641.11 [Repealed, 1975 c 94 s 7]

641.111 [Repealed, 1996 c 310 s 1]

641.12 COLLECTION OF FEES AND BOARD BILLS.
    Subdivision 1. Fee. A county board may require that each person who is booked for
confinement at a county or regional jail, and not released upon completion of the booking process,
pay a fee of up to $10 to the sheriff's department of the county in which the jail is located. The
fee is payable immediately from any money then possessed by the person being booked, or any
money deposited with the sheriff's department on the person's behalf. If the person has no funds at
the time of booking or during the period of any incarceration, the sheriff shall notify the district
court in the county where the charges related to the booking are pending, and shall request the
assessment of the fee. Notwithstanding section 609.10 or 609.125, upon notification from the
sheriff, the district court must order the fee paid to the sheriff's department as part of any sentence
or disposition imposed. If the person is not charged, is acquitted, or if the charges are dismissed,
the sheriff shall return the fee to the person at the last known address listed in the booking records.
    Subd. 2. Board. At the end of every month the sheriff of each county shall render to the
county auditor a statement showing the name of each fugitive from justice, United States prisoner,
one committed from another county or one committed by virtue of any city ordinance, the amount
due the county for board of each and from whom, and also of all amounts due for board of
prisoners for the preceding month.
    Subd. 3. Inmate payment of room and board. (a) A county board may require that an
offender convicted of a crime and confined in the county jail, workhouse, or correctional or work
farm pay the cost of the offender's room, board, clothing, medical, dental, and other correctional
services. The board shall establish a schedule to charge offenders under this subdivision. The
costs may be collected at any time while the offender is under sentence or after the sentence
has been discharged. During the period of confinement, the costs may be deducted from any
money possessed by the offender or any money deposited with the local correctional or law
enforcement agency on the offender's behalf. The board, or local correctional agency or sheriff
with authority over the jail, workhouse, or farm, may use any available civil means of debt
collection in collecting costs under this subdivision.
(b) The chief executive officer of the local correctional agency or sheriff may waive payment
of the costs under this subdivision if the officer or sheriff determines that the offender does
not have the ability to pay the costs, payment of the costs would create undue hardship for the
offender or the offender's immediate family, the prospects for payment are poor, or there are
extenuating circumstances justifying waiver of the costs.
(c) If an offender has been ordered by a court to pay restitution, the offender shall be
obligated to pay the restitution ordered before paying the costs under this subdivision. However,
if the offender is making reasonable payments to satisfy the restitution obligation, the local
correctional agency or sheriff may also collect costs under this section.
History: (10858) RL s 5473; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1975 c 94 s 5; 1997 c 239 art 9 s 38;
2002 c 322 s 1

641.13 PRISONERS FROM OTHER COUNTIES, BOARDING FEES.
When any prisoner is ordered confined in any county other than that in which the offense
was committed, the other county shall keep the prisoner at the expense of the county sending the
prisoner, and the other county board shall collect from the county sending the prisoner, for board
such an amount as is charged for local county prisoners for each day, or fractional day, and, in
addition thereto, the county board of the other county shall collect from the county sending the
prisoners, sums as have been necessarily expended for clothing, bedding, and medical aid for the
prisoners. In addition thereto the county board of the other county may collect from the county
sending the prisoners such sum as the county board may determine for other expenses incurred by
the other county in providing jail facilities for the prisoners. The county board of the county from
which the prisoners are sent, at its first session after their commitment, shall authorize the county
auditor to issue to the county where they are committed orders upon the county treasurer for the
maintenance of the prisoners while they remain in such jail.
History: (10859) RL s 5474; 1929 c 320 s 1; 1951 c 319 s 1; 1953 c 299 s 1; 1959 c 499 s
4; 1969 c 615 s 1; 1971 c 60 s 3; 1975 c 94 s 6; 1986 c 444

641.14 JAILS; SEPARATION OF PRISONERS.
The sheriff of each county is responsible for the operation and condition of the jail. If
construction of the jail permits, the sheriff may permit multiple occupancy but the sheriff shall
maintain strict separation of prisoners to the extent that separation is consistent with prisoners'
security, safety, health, and welfare. The sheriff shall not keep in the same room or section of
the jail:
(1) a minor under 18 years old and a prisoner who is 18 years old or older, unless:
(i) the minor has been committed to the commissioner of corrections under section 609.105;
(ii) the minor has been referred for adult prosecution and the prosecuting authority has
filed a notice of intent to prosecute the matter for which the minor is being held under section
260B.125; or
(iii) the minor is 16 or 17 years old and has been indicted for murder in the first degree;
(2) a female prisoner and a male prisoner; and
(3) a minor under 18 years old and an extended jurisdiction juvenile 18 years old or older
who is alleged to have violated the conditions of the stay of execution.
History: (10862) RL s 5475; 1976 c 318 s 16; 1980 c 602 s 4; 1987 c 49 s 18; 1988 c 515 s
5; 1993 c 326 art 4 s 37; 1995 c 226 art 3 s 49; 1999 c 139 art 4 s 2; 1Sp2003 c 2 art 5 s 12

641.15 PRISONERS; FEEDING, CARE.
    Subdivision 1. Clothing and care. The county board shall provide suitable jail clothing,
without distinctive marks, underclothing, linen and bedding, towels, and medical aid for
prisoners, and fuel for the jail and, if adjoining and connected, the sheriff's residence. The sheriff
may require a prisoner to wear jail clothing during confinement, but shall restore personal
clothing upon discharge. No prisoner must be required to wear clothing previously used until
it has been thoroughly cleansed. The sheriff or jailer shall keep the jail in a clean and healthy
condition, have each prisoner's clothing washed at least once a week, furnish to each sufficient
clean water for drinking and bathing, and serve each three times a day with a sufficient quantity
of wholesome, well cooked food.
    Subd. 2. Medical aid. Except as provided in section 466.101, the county board shall pay the
costs of medical services provided to prisoners. The amount paid by the Anoka county board for a
medical service shall not exceed the maximum allowed medical assistance payment rate for the
service, as determined by the commissioner of human services. For all other counties, medical
providers shall charge no higher than the rate negotiated between the county and the provider. In
the absence of an agreement between the county and the provider, the provider may charge no
more than the discounted rate the provider has negotiated with the nongovernmental third-party
payer that provided the most revenue to the provider during the previous calendar year. The county
is entitled to reimbursement from the prisoner for payment of medical bills to the extent that the
prisoner to whom the medical aid was provided has the ability to pay the bills. The prisoner
shall, at a minimum, incur co-payment obligations for health care services provided by a county
correctional facility. The county board shall determine the co-payment amount. Notwithstanding
any law to the contrary, the co-payment shall be deducted from any of the prisoner's funds
held by the county, to the extent possible. If there is a disagreement between the county and a
prisoner concerning the prisoner's ability to pay, the court with jurisdiction over the defendant
shall determine the extent, if any, of the prisoner's ability to pay for the medical services. If a
prisoner is covered by health or medical insurance or other health plan when medical services are
provided, the county providing the medical services has a right of subrogation to be reimbursed by
the insurance carrier for all sums spent by it for medical services to the prisoner that are covered
by the policy of insurance or health plan, in accordance with the benefits, limitations, exclusions,
provider restrictions, and other provisions of the policy or health plan. The county may maintain
an action to enforce this subrogation right. The county does not have a right of subrogation against
the medical assistance program or the general assistance medical care program.
    Subd. 3. Intake procedure; health coverage. As part of its intake procedure for new
prisoners, the sheriff shall ask the prisoner whether the prisoner has health coverage. If the
prisoner has coverage under a policy of accident and health insurance regulated under chapter
62A, a health maintenance contract regulated under chapter 62D, a group subscriber contract
regulated under chapter 62C, a health benefit certificate regulated under chapter 64B, a
self-insured plan, or other health coverage, the prisoner shall provide to the sheriff the name of
the carrier or administrator and other information and authorizations necessary for the sheriff to
obtain specific information about coverage.
    Subd. 4. Obtaining health care in compliance with coverage. A county board may
authorize the sheriff to fulfill the county board's obligation to provide the medical aid required by
subdivision 1 in accordance with the terms of the health plan covering the prisoner, where possible,
subject to any rules and exceptions provided by the county board. The sheriff has no obligation to
the prisoner to obtain the prisoner's health care in accordance with the prisoner's health coverage.
    Subd. 5. Scope. Subdivisions 2, 3, and 4 apply to any medical aid, including dental care,
provided to prisoners held in a county jail or workhouse.
History: (10863) RL s 5476; 1955 c 425 s 7; 1980 c 602 s 5; 1986 c 444; 1991 c 310 s 2;
1995 c 226 art 5 s 6; 1996 c 408 art 8 s 20; 1Sp2003 c 14 art 12 s 91; 1Sp2005 c 4 art 5 s 17

641.155 DISCHARGE PLANS; OFFENDERS WITH SERIOUS AND PERSISTENT
MENTAL ILLNESS.
The commissioner of corrections shall develop a model discharge planning process for every
offender with a serious and persistent mental illness, as defined in section 245.462, subdivision
20 , paragraph (c), who has been convicted and sentenced to serve three or more months and is
being released from a county jail or county regional jail.
An offender with a serious and persistent mental illness, as defined in section 245.462,
subdivision 20 , paragraph (c), who has been convicted and sentenced to serve three or more
months and is being released from a county jail or county regional jail shall be referred to the
appropriate staff in the county human services department at least 60 days before being released.
The county human services department may carry out provisions of the model discharge planning
process such as:
(1) providing assistance in filling out an application for medical assistance, general assistance
medical care, or MinnesotaCare;
(2) making a referral for case management as outlined under section 245.467, subdivision 4;
(3) providing assistance in obtaining a state photo identification;
(4) securing a timely appointment with a psychiatrist or other appropriate community mental
health providers; and
(5) providing prescriptions for a 30-day supply of all necessary medications.
History: 1Sp2005 c 4 art 2 s 18

641.16 BIBLES.
Every keeper of a jail shall provide for each prisoner able and willing to read it a copy of
the Bible or the sacred book of another religion, at the expense of the county, and any clergy
desirous of giving moral and religious instruction to requesting prisoners shall have access to
them at proper times.
History: (10864) RL s 5477; 1980 c 602 s 6

641.165 CONTRABAND ARTICLES FORBIDDEN; PENALTY.
    Subdivision 1. Definition. "Contraband" is any controlled substance as defined in section
152.01, subdivision 4, or any intoxicating or alcoholic liquor or malt beverage.
    Subd. 2. Acts prohibited. (a) Whoever introduces or in any manner causes the introduction
of contraband, as defined in subdivision 1, into any jail, lockup, or correctional facility, as defined
in section 241.021, subdivision 1, without the consent of the person in charge, or is found in
possession of contraband while within the facility or upon the grounds thereof, is guilty of a
gross misdemeanor.
(b) Whoever introduces or in any manner causes the introduction of a dangerous weapon, as
defined in section 609.02, subdivision 6, into any jail, lockup, or correctional facility, as defined
in section 241.021, subdivision 1, without the consent of the person in charge, or is found in
possession of a dangerous weapon while within the facility or upon the grounds thereof, is guilty
of a felony and, upon conviction, may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years.
    Subd. 3. Exceptions. The provisions of this section shall not apply to physicians carrying
drugs into such institutions for use in the practice of their profession, nor to peace officers
carrying revolvers or firearms in the discharge of their duties.
History: 1959 c 64 s 1; 1974 c 291 s 2; 1978 c 778 s 4; 1980 c 602 s 7

641.17 [Repealed, 1980 c 602 s 19]

641.18 SOLITARY CONFINEMENT.
When any prisoner is unruly or disobeys any regulation for the management of jails, the
prisoner may be kept in solitary confinement as provided in section 641.09.
History: (10866) RL s 5478; 1978 c 778 s 5; 1980 c 602 s 8

641.19 [Repealed, 1963 c 753 art 2 s 17]

641.20 REMOVAL OF PRISONERS IN CASE OF FIRE.
When, by reason of fire or other casualty, the prisoners in any jail are exposed to danger, the
keeper may remove them to some safe place to avoid such danger.
History: (10868) RL s 5480

641.21 JAIL, ADVICE AS TO CONSTRUCTION.
When any county board determines to purchase, lease or erect a new jail, or to repair an
existing one at an expense of more than $15,000, it shall pass a resolution to that effect, and
transmit a copy thereof to the commissioner of corrections, who, within 30 days thereafter, shall
transmit to that county board the advice and suggestions in reference to the purchase, lease or
construction thereof as the commissioner deems proper.
History: (10869) RL s 5481; 1955 c 425 s 8; 1959 c 263 s 2; 1976 c 299 s 3; 1980 c 602 s
9; 2005 c 136 art 13 s 18

641.22 PLANS AND ESTIMATES SUBMITTED.
After the receipt of the commissioner of correction's advice and suggestions, the board shall
procure plans and estimates of the cost of the new jail or repairs, and submit the same to the
commissioner for suggestions and for approval, so far as relates to the management, operation
and physical condition of the proposed building, and the security, safety, health, treatment and
discipline of persons detained or confined therein. Suggestions and approval shall be in writing
and filed with the county auditor before any contract for purchase, lease, erection or repairs shall
be binding, or any warrant is drawn for payment for labor or materials therefor.
History: (10870) RL s 5482; 1959 c 263 s 2; 1980 c 602 s 10

641.23 FUNDS, HOW PROVIDED.
Before any contract is made for the erection of a county jail, sheriff's residence, or both,
the county board shall either levy a sufficient tax to provide the necessary funds, or issue county
bonds therefor in accordance with the provisions of chapter 475, provided that no election is
required if the amount of all bonds issued for this purpose and interest on them which are due
and payable in any year does not exceed an amount equal to 0.09671 percent of market value of
taxable property within the county, as last determined before the bonds are issued.
History: (10871) RL s 5483; 1980 c 597 s 6; 1988 c 719 art 5 s 84; 1989 c 277 art 4 s 79;
1997 c 219 s 11; 2002 c 390 s 19

641.24 LEASING.
The county may, by resolution of the county board, enter into a lease agreement with
any statutory or home rule charter city situated within the county, or a county housing and
redevelopment authority established pursuant to chapter 469 or any special law whereby the city
or county housing and redevelopment authority will construct a jail or other law enforcement
facilities for the county sheriff, deputy sheriffs, and other employees of the sheriff and other law
enforcement agencies, in accordance with plans prepared by or at the request of the county
board and, when required, approved by the commissioner of corrections and will finance it by
the issuance of revenue bonds, and the county may lease the site and improvements for a term
and upon rentals sufficient to produce revenue for the prompt payment of the bonds and all
interest accruing thereon and, upon completion of payment, will acquire title thereto. The real
and personal property acquired for the jail shall constitute a project and the lease agreement shall
constitute a revenue agreement as contemplated in chapter 469, and all proceedings shall be taken
by the city or county housing and redevelopment authority and the county in the manner and with
the force and effect provided in chapter 469; provided that:
(1) no tax shall be imposed upon or in lieu of a tax upon the property;
(2) the approval of the project by the commissioner of commerce shall not be required;
(3) the Department of Corrections shall be furnished and shall record such information
concerning each project as it may prescribe;
(4) the rentals required to be paid under the lease agreement shall not exceed in any year
one-tenth of one percent of the market value of property within the county, as last finally equalized
before the execution of the agreement;
(5) the county board shall provide for the payment of all rentals due during the term of the
lease, in the manner required in section 641.264, subdivision 2;
(6) no mortgage on the property shall be granted for the security of the bonds, but compliance
with clause (5) hereof may be enforced as a nondiscretionary duty of the county board; and
(7) the county board may sublease any part of the jail property for purposes consistent with
the maintenance and operation of a county jail or other law enforcement facility.
History: (10872) RL s 5484; 1980 c 516 s 2; 1980 c 597 s 7; 1981 c 356 s 246; 1983 c 289 s
114 subd 1, 115 subd 1; 1984 c 633 s 12; 1984 c 655 art 1 s 92; 1987 c 312 art 1 s 26 subd 2;
1988 c 719 art 5 s 84; 1989 c 1 s 10; 1992 c 511 art 9 s 22; 1993 c 163 art 1 s 34

641.25 DISTRICT JAILS; HOW DESIGNATED.
The commissioner of corrections, with the consent of the county board, may designate any
suitable jail in the state as a district jail, to be used for the detention of prisoners from other
counties in addition to those of its own. If the jail or its management becomes unfit for that
purpose, the commissioner may rescind its designation. Whenever there is no sufficient jail in any
county, the examining judge, or upon the judge's own motion, upon application of the sheriff,
may order any person charged with a criminal offense committed to a sufficient jail in some other
county. If there is a district jail in the judicial district, the charged person shall be sent to it, or
to any other nearer district jail designated by the judge. The sheriff of the county containing the
district jail, on presentation of the order, shall receive, keep in custody, and deliver the charged
person up upon the order of the court or a judge.
History: (10873) RL s 5485; 1959 c 263 s 2; 1983 c 359 s 148; 1986 c 444; 2006 c 260
art 5 s 52

641.26 CONDEMNATION OF JAILS.
When the jail of any county is insecure or otherwise unfit for use, the judge of the district
court therein, on the recommendation of the grand jury or of the judge's own motion, may issue a
written order condemning it; or, when the commissioner of corrections shall adjudge any county
jail insecure or otherwise unfit for use, the commissioner may, with consent of the judge of the
district court, issue a written order condemning it. After condemnation that jail shall not be used
for the detention of any prisoner until the order of condemnation is rescinded.
History: (10874) RL s 5486; 1959 c 263 s 2; 1976 c 299 s 4; 1986 c 444

COUNTY REGIONAL JAILS

641.261 REGIONAL JAILS.
    Subdivision 1. Purpose of act. The purpose of sections 641.261 to 641.266 is to enable
counties to cooperate to provide adequate jail facilities with suitable work programs and
rehabilitation and treatment services for persons whose commitment to a county jail is authorized
by law.
    Subd. 2. Persons who may be committed. The regional jail shall serve as a place of
commitment for persons whose commitment to a county jail is authorized by law by a court
having jurisdiction within the cooperating counties, subject to admission rules and charges
for care as the regional jail board may prescribe. The regional jail board may also accept the
commitment of persons whose commitment to a county jail is authorized by law by a court
having jurisdiction outside the cooperating counties, subject to admission rules and charges for
care as the regional jail board may prescribe.
    Subd. 3. Commissioner of corrections; powers, duties. The commissioner of corrections
shall promulgate, in the manner provided by law, rules relating to standards for county regional
jails in the following matters:
(1) minimum aggregate population base upon which a county regional jail may be practically
operated;
(2) site and buildings necessary for an adequate regional jail, considering such factors as
inmate security, health, and work opportunities;
(3) qualifications of staff, and ratio of staff to inmate population;
(4) programs of work, rehabilitation, and treatment. When a county regional jail does not
comply with the standards so promulgated, a judge of the district court or the commissioner
of corrections may institute condemnation proceedings in the manner provided in Minnesota
Statutes 1961, section 641.26.
    Subd. 4. Lengthy imprisonment. Upon certification by the commissioner of corrections to
those courts described in subdivision 2 that a regional jail has complied with the provisions of
subdivision 3, all persons sentenced to imprisonment in a county jail by such courts for more than
seven days, except those sentenced under section 631.425, or subject to detention in a county jail
pending trial or other disposition of their cases for periods in excess of 14 days must be committed
to or detained in a regional jail in the manner provided in subdivision 2.
History: 1963 c 452 s 1; 1971 c 591 s 1; 1985 c 248 s 70

641.262 ESTABLISHMENT OF REGIONAL JAILS BY CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES.
    Subdivision 1. Action by county board. Two or more counties, each contiguous at one or
more points with one or more of the other counties, may cooperate to establish, operate, and
maintain a regional jail in the manner provided in sections 641.261 to 641.266. A county may
join with other counties in the establishment, operation, and maintenance of a regional jail by
majority vote of its county board. A county board so voting shall also appropriate its approximate
proportionate share of the initial expenses of the proposed county regional jail, which proportion
is estimated in the manner provided in section 641.264, subdivision 2, and which is paid over
upon receiving notice from the regional jail board as provided in section 641.263, subdivision 1.
    Subd. 2. Regional jail board; membership, term, compensation. The county board of
each cooperating county shall appoint two members to a board to be known as the regional jail
board. Members appointed to the board shall be county commissioners. One of the members
first appointed to the regional jail board shall be appointed for a term expiring on June 30 next
following appointment, the other for a term expiring one year later. After the appointment of
the first members, one succeeding member shall be appointed each year for a two year period
beginning on July 1. Each appointee shall hold office until a successor is appointed and has
qualified. Vacancies are filled by the appointing power. The members of the regional jail board
serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for all necessary expenses incurred by them
in performance of their official duties. This reimbursement is payable by the county from which
the member is appointed, until the regional jail fund is established. When the regional jail fund
is established, reimbursement shall be made from that fund. Reimbursement authorized by this
subdivision is in addition to any reimbursement received by a regional jail board member who is
also a member of a county board.
    Subd. 3. Board meetings. As soon as possible after the appointment of the members of
the regional jail board by the cooperating counties, the regional jail board shall hold a joint
meeting and shall elect a chair, vice-chair, and secretary. The county board of the county first
appointing members to the regional jail board shall call the first meeting of the board and shall
designate the place of meeting. The regional jail board shall meet at least annually thereafter at
a place designated by the regional jail board and may meet at such other times and places as it
considers necessary.
History: 1963 c 452 s 2; 1980 c 597 s 8; 1986 c 444

641.263 POWERS, DUTIES OF BOARD.
    Subdivision 1. Initial financing. When the regional jail board is satisfied that each
cooperating county has appropriated its share of the initial expenses of the regional jail, it shall so
certify to the county board of each cooperating county. The county board of each cooperating
county then shall order its county treasurer to pay over the authorized initial expense funds to the
regional jail fund in the manner provided in section 641.264, subdivision 3.
    Subd. 2. Acquisition of site, buildings. The regional jail board may lease suitable premises
or acquire by gift, purchase, or condemnation proceedings instituted in the name of the counties a
suitable site, and erect on the site buildings suitable for a regional jail. Condemnation proceedings
shall be conducted in the manner provided in chapter 117. No premises shall be leased, site
acquired, or building erected without the approval of the county board of each cooperating county
and the commissioner of corrections. The regional jail board may by resolution enter into a lease
agreement with any statutory or home rule charter city situated within any of the counties, in the
same manner and with the same force and effect as a county acting under the provisions of section
641.24; provided that any such lease agreement, and any amendment thereto, shall be approved
by the county board of each cooperating county before it is executed.
    Subd. 3. Operation of jail; superintendent. The regional jail board shall operate, control,
manage, and maintain the jail, and set charges for the care of inmates. The regional jail board
shall appoint a regional jail superintendent who serves at the pleasure of the board and receives
compensation set by the board. The superintendent is the chief executive officer of the regional
jail, and has the powers of a sheriff and such other powers and duties relating to the operation,
management, and maintenance of the jail as the regional jail board may prescribe and as are
prescribed by law. The superintendent, with the approval of the board, or as provided in
subdivision 4, shall appoint additional employees necessary to operate and maintain the jail. The
employees of a regional jail, including the superintendent, are public employees for the purposes
of Minnesota Statutes 1961, chapter 353.
    Subd. 4. Employees merit system. A regional jail merit system may be established under the
provisions of this subdivision and Minnesota Statutes 1961, chapter 44. Consistent with standards
promulgated by the commissioner of corrections for qualifications of regional jail employees, the
cooperating counties, by vote of each county board, may establish, modify, or abandon a merit
system for the employment, promotion, discipline, and dismissal of all regional jail employees
except the superintendent. Questions relating to the establishment, modification, or abandonment
of the merit system shall not be submitted to the voters for their approval. The following words
and phrases defined in Minnesota Statutes 1961, section 44.01, have the meanings given in this
subdivision for the purposes of a regional jail merit system:
(1) "appointing authority" means the regional jail superintendent;
(2) "board" means the "personnel board" consisting of the chair, vice-chair, and secretary
of the regional jail board;
(3) "council" means the county boards of the cooperating counties.
    Subd. 5. Multiple occupancy cells. If construction of the jail permits, the board may, by
resolution, authorize multiple occupancy, but the superintendent must maintain strict separation of
prisoners to the extent that separation is necessary to ensure prisoners' security, safety, health,
and welfare.
History: 1963 c 452 s 3; 1980 c 597 s 9; 1986 c 444; 1Sp2003 c 2 art 5 s 13

641.264 FINANCING.
    Subdivision 1. Capital improvements; bond issues and leases. The construction or
acquisition, the equipping, and subsequent improvement of a county regional jail may be financed
in whole or in part by the issuance of general obligation bonds of the cooperating counties in the
manner provided in section 641.23 or by the issuance of revenue bonds of a city situated in one
of the counties or with the approval of the board of county commissioners of each cooperating
county a county housing and redevelopment authority established pursuant to chapter 462 or
special law, secured by a lease agreement in the manner provided in chapter 474 and in sections
641.24 and 641.263, subdivision 2. Proceedings for the issuance of general obligation bonds shall
be instituted by the board of county commissioners of each cooperating county. The regional
jail board, with the approval of the county board of each cooperating county, shall fix the total
amount necessary to be raised for the construction or acquisition, the equipping, and subsequent
improvement of a regional jail, and shall apportion to each county in the manner provided in
subdivision 2 the share of this amount, or of annual debt service or lease rentals required to pay
this amount with interest, which is to be raised by the county.
    Subd. 2. Tax levies; apportionment of costs. The county board of each cooperating county
shall annually levy a tax in an amount necessary to defray its proportion of the net costs of
maintenance and operation of the regional jail after deduction of payments for the care of inmates,
and in addition shall levy a tax to repay the cost of construction or acquisition, equipping, and
any subsequent improvement of the regional jail and for the retirement of any bonds issued for
these purposes. The county board may levy these taxes without limitation as to the rate or amount,
and the levy of these taxes shall not cause the amount of other taxes levied or to be levied by the
county, which are subject to any such limitation, to be reduced in any amount whatsoever. The
regional jail board shall apportion the costs of maintenance and operation, and of construction
or acquisition, equipping, and improvement of the jail to each county (1) on the basis of the
proportion that the population in that county bears to the total population in all of the cooperating
counties, the population figures to be determined by the last previous federal census; or (2)
according to a formula mutually agreed upon by all the cooperating counties.
    Subd. 3. Regional jail fund. The initial expense funds, the proceeds from the sale of bonds,
and the proceeds of taxes for costs of maintenance and operation shall be paid by the county by
which they are appropriated or collected into a county regional jail fund, which shall be kept in
the treasury of the county in which the jail is located. The county treasurer of the county in which
the regional jail is located shall make payments out of the county regional jail fund on properly
authenticated vouchers of the county regional jail board.
    Subd. 4. Expenditures. The regional jail board shall approve by majority vote all
expenditure vouchers and the chair of the board shall transmit them to the county auditor of the
county in which the regional jail is located for payment by the county treasurer, accompanied
by the chair's certification that the expenditure vouchers have been approved by a majority of
the regional jail board.
    Subd. 5. Charges for care of inmates. The regional jail board shall fix the rates to be
charged for the care of inmates and shall submit a statement of charges to the governmental
unit from which an inmate is committed. The charge for care of an inmate shall be paid by the
governmental unit to the county treasurer of the county in which the regional jail is located, and
shall be deposited in the regional jail fund.
    Subd. 6. Gifts, acceptance by board. The regional jail board may accept gifts or donations
from any source, which gifts or donations shall be deposited in the regional jail fund and disbursed
by the regional jail board in the manner in which other expenditures are made.
History: 1963 c 452 s 4; 1980 c 487 s 20; 1980 c 597 s 10; 1984 c 633 s 13; 1986 c 444;
1987 c 252 s 10

641.265 ADMISSION, WITHDRAWAL OF COUNTIES.
    Subdivision 1. Admission. A county which could cooperate in a regional jail system under
the provisions of section 641.262, subdivision 1, but has not cooperated in its formation, may
acquire an interest in the regional jail if the county board of each of the cooperating counties
decides, by majority vote, to admit the county. With the approval of the county board of each
cooperating county, the regional jail board shall fix the terms and conditions upon which an
additional county may acquire an interest in the regional jail. A county acquiring such an interest
has all of the rights, privileges, duties, and obligations provided by sections 641.261 to 641.266,
provided that as a condition for admission the county may be required to pay initially or annually
a sum sufficient to reimburse to the other cooperating counties part or all of the additional county's
proportionate share of amounts theretofore paid by the other counties with respect to capital
cost, debt service, or lease rentals, based on the relative populations of the respective counties
according to the last federal or state census preceding admission.
    Subd. 2. Withdrawal. A county board may withdraw from cooperation in a regional jail
system if the county boards of all of the other cooperating counties decide, by majority vote, to
allow the withdrawal. With the approval of the county board of each cooperating county, the
regional jail board shall fix the sum, if any, to be paid to the county withdrawing, to reimburse it
for capital cost, debt service, or lease rental payments made by the county prior to withdrawal, in
excess of its proportionate share of benefits from the regional jail prior to withdrawal, and the
time and manner of making the payments. The payments shall be deemed additional payments of
capital cost, debt service, or lease rentals to be made proportionately by the remaining counties
and, when received, shall be deposited in and paid from the regional jail fund; provided that:
(a) payments shall not be made from any amounts in the regional jail fund which are needed
for maintenance and operation expenses or lease rentals currently due and payable; and
(b) the withdrawing county shall remain obligated for the payment of its proportionate share
of any lease rentals due and payable after its withdrawal, in the event and up to the amount of any
lease payment not made when due by one or more of the other cooperating counties.
History: 1963 c 452 s 5; 1980 c 597 s 11

641.266 REPORTS.
The regional jail board shall annually, and at such other times as required by the county
board of a cooperating county, make a complete report regarding the cost of operation of the
jail, its inmate population, and its work, treatment, and rehabilitation programs. The regional
jail board shall furnish such other information as the county boards or the commissioner of
corrections may require.
History: 1963 c 452 s 6

641.27 [Repealed, 1980 c 602 s 19]

641.28 [Repealed, 1980 c 602 s 19]

641.29 [Repealed, 1980 c 602 s 19]

641.30 [Repealed, 1980 c 602 s 19]

641.31 [Repealed, 1980 c 602 s 19]

641.32 [Repealed, 1980 c 602 s 19]

641.33 [Repealed, 1980 c 602 s 19]

641.34 [Repealed, 1980 c 602 s 19]

641.35 [Repealed, 1980 c 602 s 19]

641.36 [Repealed, 1980 c 602 s 19]

641.37 [Repealed, 1980 c 602 s 19]

641.38 [Repealed, 1980 c 602 s 19]

641.39 [Repealed, 1965 c 45 s 73]

641.40 [Repealed, 1965 c 45 s 73]

641.41 [Repealed, 1965 c 45 s 73]

641.42 [Repealed, 1965 c 45 s 73]

641.43 [Repealed, 1965 c 45 s 73]

641.44 [Repealed, 1965 c 45 s 73]