Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association issues no‑confidence vote in DOC chief Schnell, urges Walz to remove him
The Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association at its winter conference issued a formal vote of no confidence in Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell and urged Gov. Tim Walz to remove him or for Schnell to resign. Sheriffs said Schnell’s leadership has produced inconsistent enforcement of DOC rules, burdensome and uneven jail inspections, poor communication and cooperation, and increased costs and operational burdens on county jails — with MSA President Lon Thiele calling his leadership "detrimental to public safety."
📌 Key Facts
- The Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association (MSA) held a formal vote of no confidence in Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell at its winter conference (report dated Dec. 23, 2025).
- MSA leaders, including President Sheriff Lon Thiele, called Schnell’s leadership “detrimental to public safety” and urged either his resignation or that Gov. Tim Walz remove him.
- The sheriffs’ stated reasons for the no-confidence vote include alleged inconsistent enforcement of the DOC’s 2,911 rules, burdensome and uneven jail inspections, and poor communication and cooperation with county jails.
- MSA said the DOC actions have increased costs and operational burdens on county jails.
- The report included responses from the DOC and the governor’s office: the DOC disputed the sheriffs’ characterizations and pointed to reforms, while the governor’s office said Walz continued to back Schnell pending review.
📊 Relevant Data
Violent crime levels in Minnesota remained steady in 2024, with 14,991 incidents reported compared to 15,011 in 2023.
Minnesota's 2024 Violent Crime Data: a focused brief — American Experiment
In 2024, Minnesota's three-year recidivism rate for adults released from prison was 38%, meaning 62% did not recidivate within three years.
Black Minnesotans, who comprise about 7% of the state's population, are incarcerated at a rate 9 times higher than White Minnesotans.
Minnesota profile — Prison Policy Initiative
The cost per jail inmate per day in Pine County, Minnesota, increased from $118 in 2019 to $282 in 2024.
Jail costs increase, jail intakes decrease — Pine County News
Hennepin County, Minnesota, agreed to spend $5.4 million over six months in 2024 to house inmates in other counties due to an inmate reduction order.
Hennepin Co. Jail reduces inmate population with costly temporary solution — FOX9
Minnesota's population grew by 2.4% from 2020 to 2024, with international immigration contributing significantly to this growth.
Our Estimates — MN State Demographic Center
In Minnesota, Black individuals are disproportionately represented in criminal offender statistics per capita compared to White individuals.
Minnesota's Offender Outcomes Devoid of Racial Bias — American Experiment
In Minnesota, 62% of victims of violent crime were of the same race as the perpetrator in recent data.
Minnesota Criminal Justice Data Snapshot — Justice Reinvestment Initiative
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association took a formal vote of no confidence in Commissioner Paul Schnell at its winter conference, not merely an informal position.
- Details the sheriffs’ stated reasons: alleged inconsistent enforcement of 2,911 DOC rules, burdensome and uneven jail inspections, poor communication/cooperation, and increased costs and operational burdens on county jails.
- Quotes association leaders (e.g., MSA President Sheriff Lon Thiele) calling Schnell’s leadership "detrimental to public safety" and explicitly asking either for his resignation or for Gov. Walz to remove him.
- Describes any DOC or governor’s office response, if provided (e.g., that DOC disputes the characterizations or points to specific reforms; or that Walz continues to back Schnell pending review).