REGIONAL- The possible closure of the Togo Correctional Facility, formerly known as Thistledew Camp, will be on the agenda for a Minnesota House of Representatives virtual hearing at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.

The House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Division will conduct an online hearing covering the impact of Minnesota’s budget shortfalls on the proposed closure of the Togo and Willow River facilities and their unique Challenge Incarceration Programs. Presentations from staff members at the facilities will be part of a broader agenda which will also cover community supervision, sexual assault examination kit funding, and Department of Public Safety shortfalls.

A livestream watch event will be held at Bigfork City Hall, 200 Main Avenue, in Bigfork, beginning at 12:45 p.m.

Time will be allotted at the end of the hearing for the committee to receive community comments. Those attending the Bigfork event who wish to speak on behalf of MCF-Togo should arrive at the city hall before 11:45 a.m. to have their names placed on the agenda.

The hearing will also be streamed online at https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/live/1 and on Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/MNHouseInfo/. Members of the public with questions about this process or who are interested in testifying at this meeting may email committee staff at Jamael.Lundy@house.mn. Requests to testify must be received by committee staff at least one hour prior to the start of the meeting, and instructions on how to comment will be provided.