Togo Prison: Life and Challenges Behind Bars in Minnesota

Minnesota Correctional Facility-Togo is a state prison located in Togo, Minnesota. It is one of the many facilities run by the Minnesota Department of Corrections. The prison is designed to hold 473 adult males and focuses on providing educational, vocational, and treatment programs to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society upon their release.

However, the conditions in Togo prison have been a matter of concern for many years. Reports suggest that the prison is overcrowded, with inmates living in cramped and unsanitary conditions. In addition, there have been allegations of abuse and mistreatment of inmates by prison staff.

The United States Department of State’s 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices states that “Prison conditions and detention center conditions remained harsh and potentially life-threatening due to serious overcrowding, poor sanitation, disease”

SecurityMinimum
Capacity90
Physical Address62741 Co Rd. 551
Togo, MN 55723
Mailing Address62741 Co Rd. 551
Togo, MN 55723
Can You Send a Gift?No
Visitation HoursThe first and third Sundays—beginning with the first full weekend of the month: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Dress CodeYes
Phone Number218-376-7878
JurisdictionState

Overview of Togo Prison

Togo Prison is a correctional facility located in Minnesota that houses inmates who have been convicted of various crimes. The facility is managed by the Department of Corrections.

Inmates at Togo Prison are provided with basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter. They are also given access to medical care and mental health services. The facility offers educational and vocational programs to help inmates acquire new skills and prepare for life after release.

The address of Togo Prison is 62741 Co Rd. 551 Togo, MN 55723. Inmates can receive mail from their friends and family, but the facility has strict rules regarding what can be sent and received. Any mail that violates these rules will be returned to the sender.

The minimum sentence for inmates at Togo Prison varies depending on the crime committed. Inmates may be eligible for early release if they exhibit good behavior and complete certain programs.

The facility also offers a Chemical Dependency Program (CIP) to help inmates overcome drug and alcohol addiction. This program includes counseling, education, and support groups.

Overall, Togo Prison strives to provide a safe and secure environment for inmates while also helping them to prepare for life after release.

Visiting Togo Prison

Visiting Togo Prison requires scheduling an appointment in advance. All visits must be scheduled by calling the facility at least 24 hours in advance. Visitors must adhere to strict rules and regulations set by the prison authorities.

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours at Togo Prison vary depending on the day of the week. Visits are only allowed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. On these days, visiting hours are from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Visitors must arrive at the facility at least 30 minutes before the scheduled visit.

Holidays

Togo Prison observes all state and federal holidays. Visiting hours on holidays are the same as on weekends. Visitors should confirm the visiting hours with the prison authorities before scheduling a visit.

Juveniles

Children under the age of 18 are allowed to visit Togo Prison, but they must be accompanied by an adult. Visitors under the age of 16 must have permission from their parents or legal guardian to visit the facility.

Physical Address

Togo Prison is located at 62741 Co Rd. 551, Togo, MN 55723. Visitors should use this address when sending mail or packages to inmates.

Minnesota Department of Corrections

Togo Prison is part of the Minnesota Department of Corrections. The department is responsible for the administration of all state prisons in Minnesota, including Togo Prison. Visitors can contact the department for more information about visiting Togo Prison.

Human Rights

Togo Prison has been criticized for its treatment of inmates. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the conditions at the facility. Visitors should be aware of the human rights issues and advocate for better treatment of inmates.

Death

Inmates at Togo Prison have died due to various reasons, including natural causes, suicide, and violence. Visitors should be prepared for the possibility of encountering death at the facility.

Overall, visiting Togo Prison requires careful planning and adherence to strict rules and regulations. Visitors should be aware of human rights issues and prepare themselves for the possibility of encountering death at the facility.

Security Levels at Togo Prison

Togo Prison in Minnesota has three security levels: close, maximum, and minimum. The security level determines the type of inmates that can be housed at the facility. Close security is for inmates who have demonstrated good behavior and are considered low-risk. Maximum security is for inmates who are considered high-risk and require more supervision. Minimum security is for inmates who are nearing their release date and have demonstrated good behavior.

CIP-Togo is a program that is available to inmates at Togo Prison. The program is designed to help inmates develop critical thinking skills and prepare them for re-entry into society. The program includes chemical dependency programming, physical exercise, and restorative justice work crews. Inmates who participate in the program are more likely to successfully reintegrate into society upon their release.

Non-violent offenders are housed in minimum security units at Togo Prison. These inmates have committed crimes that are considered non-violent, such as drug offenses or property crimes. They are housed in dormitory-style units and have more freedom than inmates at other security levels.

Inmates at Togo Prison have access to a variety of programs and services. These programs include educational classes, vocational training, and counseling services. Inmates who participate in these programs are more likely to successfully reintegrate into society upon their release.

Overall, Togo Prison is a well-run facility that provides inmates with the resources they need to successfully reintegrate into society. The facility’s focus on critical thinking skills development and restorative justice work crews is particularly noteworthy.

Programs and Services at Togo Prison

Togo prison offers a range of programs and services to inmates to help them acquire new skills, gain education, and prepare for re-entry into society. Some of the available programs and services include:

Minncor Industries

Minncor Industries is a program that provides inmates with vocational training and work experience in various fields, such as manufacturing, construction, and printing. Inmates work in a real-world setting and earn a wage, which can be used to pay for restitution, child support, and other obligations. Minncor Industries also partners with local businesses to provide job opportunities for released inmates.

Firewood Bundling

Inmates at Togo prison participate in a firewood bundling program, which involves cutting and bundling firewood for sale to local customers. The program provides inmates with valuable work experience and teaches them important skills, such as teamwork, time management, and communication.

State Parks

Togo prison has a partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to provide labor for state park maintenance and construction projects. Inmates work on a variety of tasks, such as trail maintenance, campground upkeep, and building repairs. This program allows inmates to gain valuable work experience and contribute to the community.

Adult Basic Education and GED Program

Togo prison offers adult basic education courses and a GED program to help inmates improve their literacy and earn a high school equivalency diploma. The program includes classes in math, reading, writing, and social studies, as well as test preparation for the GED exam. Inmates who complete the program have a better chance of finding employment and succeeding after release.

Overall, Togo prison provides a range of programs and services to help inmates acquire new skills, gain education, and prepare for re-entry into society. These programs and services are designed to reduce recidivism and improve the chances of successful reintegration into the community.

Visitation Rules at Togo Prison

Visiting an inmate at Togo Prison is a privilege, and the prison has specific rules and regulations that visitors must follow. The prison has designated visiting days, and visitors must follow the dress code and other rules to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved.

To visit an inmate at Togo Prison, visitors must complete a visiting application and be approved before they can visit. The application process includes a background check, and visitors must provide identification when they arrive at the prison.

The prison has a color-coded system to indicate the level of visitation privileges an inmate has. Inmates with a red hat level have the most restrictive visitation privileges, while those with a blue hat level have the most liberal visitation privileges. Inmates with a brown hat level fall somewhere in between.

Visitors must arrive at the prison during the designated visiting hours and must be prepared to show identification and go through a security screening. Visitors are not allowed to bring any items into the visiting area, including cell phones, purses, or bags.

Extended visits are available for visitors who have traveled a long distance or have special circumstances. Visitors must submit a request for an extended visit, and the request must be approved by the prison.

In conclusion, visitors to Togo Prison must follow the rules and regulations to ensure the safety and security of everyone involved. The prison has a color-coded system to indicate the level of visitation privileges an inmate has, and visitors must arrive during designated visiting hours and be prepared to go through a security screening. Extended visits are available for visitors who have special circumstances.

Life in Togo Prison

Life in Togo prison is harsh and challenging. According to the 2020 Human Rights Report by the US Department of State, the prison conditions in Togo are harsh and life-threatening. The report noted that the prison population is overcrowded, and the detainees face severe food and water shortages. The report also highlighted that the prison authorities’ access to medical care is limited, and the detainees suffer from diseases due to poor sanitation and hygiene.

In Togo prison, the dress code is strict, and detainees are required to wear uniforms. The prison authorities enforce a dress code to maintain discipline and order in the facility. Additionally, the detainees are not allowed to bring any personal belongings, and their access to the outside world is limited.

The prison authorities in Togo offer limited rehabilitation programs to the detainees. The lack of prison reform programs has resulted in high recidivism rates. The detainees are not provided with adequate education and vocational training, which makes it difficult for them to reintegrate into society after their release.

JPay and commissary services are not available in Togo prison. The detainees do not have access to electronic messaging or email services, and their communication with the outside world is limited to letters and phone calls. The commissary services are also limited, and the detainees have to rely on the prison authorities for their basic needs.

The Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF) at Rush City is a minimum-security prison that offers early-release programs to its inmates. However, these programs are not available in Togo prison. The lack of early release programs makes it difficult for detainees to reduce their sentences and return to their families.

In conclusion, life in Togo prison is challenging and difficult. The lack of prison reform programs, limited access to medical care, and poor living conditions make it difficult for the detainees to reintegrate into society. The prison authorities need to implement reforms to improve the living conditions in the facility and offer rehabilitation programs to the detainees.

Communicating with Inmates at Togo Prison

Inmates at Togo Prison have limited communication with the outside world, but there are still ways to stay in touch with loved ones. The prison allows inmates to receive letters and packages, but there are certain rules that must be followed.

To send mail to an inmate at Togo Prison, the mailing address is as follows:

Inmate Name and ID Number
Minnesota Correctional Facility - Togo
62741 Co Rd. 551
Togo, MN 55723

Letters and packages must not contain any prohibited items, such as drugs, weapons, or pornography. In addition, all mail is subject to inspection by prison staff.

For those who wish to communicate with inmates more quickly, phone calls are also an option. Inmates at Togo Prison can make collect calls to approved phone numbers. To add a phone number to an inmate’s approved list, contact the prison’s phone vendor, GTL, at 1-800-483-8314.

In addition to communication with loved ones, Togo Prison offers opportunities for inmates to work and earn money. Inmates can participate in various prison jobs, such as working in the kitchen or doing maintenance work. They can also earn money by participating in the prison’s industry program, which includes manufacturing and farming.

For inmates who struggle with substance abuse, Togo Prison offers treatment programs. These programs aim to help inmates overcome their addiction and develop the skills they need to stay sober after their release.

Finally, for those who wish to find information about a specific inmate, Togo Prison offers an inmate search tool on its website. This tool allows users to search for inmates by name or ID number.

Overall, while communication with inmates at Togo Prison may be limited, there are still ways to stay in touch and support loved ones during their time in prison.

Leave a Comment