safety
2 of 8 housing units at Lino Lakes prison without air conditioning
By Emily Baude at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· July 14, 2026
· 1 min read
Some inmates at the Lino Lakes prison are without air conditioning this week as temperatures soar to dangerous levels.
RELATED: Minnesota’s Weather Authority Alert: Heat wave in full effect with little relief ahead
As of Monday evening, two of the eight living units at the prison lacked air...
Key takeaway The post 2 of 8 housing units at Lino Lakes prison without air conditioning first appeared on KSTP.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The lack of air conditioning in two living units at the Lino Lakes prison raises concerns about inmate safety and well-being, particularly during extreme heat waves. With 336 inmates affected, the Department of Corrections' efforts to provide industrial fans, ice water, and outdoor access may not be sufficient to mitigate the risks associated with high temperatures. The fact that these units were not originally designed with air conditioning and have ineffective retrofitted cooling equipment highlights the need for infrastructure upgrades to ensure a safe environment for inmates. As the heat wave continues with little relief in sight, the situation at the Lino Lakes prison will be closely watched to see how the DOC addresses the issue and prevents potential heat-related illnesses among inmates. The prison's ability to provide a safe and healthy environment is crucial, and the community will be looking for a timely resolution to this problem.
About this story
Original reporting by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . The Minneapolis surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Some inmates at the Lino Lakes prison are without air conditioning this week as temperatures soar to dangerous levels.
RELATED: Minnesota’s Weather Authority Alert: Heat wave in full effect with little relief ahead
As of Monday evening, two of the eight living units at the prison lacked air...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Emily Baude at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Minneapolis, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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