Mortality Data and Related Policies, 2000-2020

COVID Prison Project filed this request with the Department of Corrections of Minnesota.
Status
Awaiting Acknowledgement

Communications

From: COVID Prison Project

Aaron Swanum
Information Officer
Minnesota Department of Corrections
1450 Energy Park Drive
St. Paul, MN 55108

Dear Aaron Swanum:

Under the Minnesota Data Practices Act § 13.01 et seq., I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of public records that

– Include time and date of all instances of death occurring in the offender population between January 2000 and December 2020.

– Indicate the total number of individuals in Minnesota Department of Corrections (MDOC) custody who died by any cause, separated monthly, from January 2000 to December 2020.

– Detail monthly population records that include the total number of deaths occurring among people in the custody of the MDOC between January 2000 and December 2020.

– Final reports of death for all individuals in MDOC custody who died between January 2000 and December 2020.

Additionally, I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of any and all MDOC policies, regulations, and procedures, pertaining to...

– Investigations of in-custody deaths.

– Requirements for the performance of an autopsy or post-mortem medical examination of individuals who die while in MDOC custody.

– The reporting of in-custody deaths to other governmental agencies.

– Next-of-kin notification in the event of in-custody deaths.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. However, I would also like to request a waiver of all fees in that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of public health and data transparency in correctional settings.

I would request a prompt response to this request. If you expect a significant delay in responding to or in fulfilling this request, please contact me with information about when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.

If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption you feel justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.

Thank you for considering my request.

Sincerely,

Forrest Behne
Policy Director, COVID Prison Project
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Office: (919) 391-7962
340 MacNider Hall | Campus Box 7240
333 South Columbia Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7240

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