local
HCSO paying thousands to send inmates away, jail staffing concerns spike
By Cory Knudsen at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC)
· June 23, 2026
· 5 min read
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Inmates moved due to jail staffing issues
Despite adding dozens of deputies to fully staff their jail...
Key takeaway “I look forward to working on the recommendations from the report as I do agree with them,” Sheriff Dawanna Witt told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS following the meeting.
Why this matters in The Minneapolis
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels at the jail has significant implications for local taxpayers, who are shouldering the cost of housing inmates in other counties. With 45 inmates currently being held outside of Hennepin County, the daily expense of at least $2,700 is a substantial burden. Furthermore, the logistical costs of transporting these inmates to and from Hennepin County for court appearances and other matters will likely add to the overall expense. As the county considers the consulting firm's recommendations to increase staffing levels to 318 detention deputies, the question of funding will be crucial. Sheriff Witt's concerns about receiving sufficient funding to support additional staffing will need to be addressed by the county commissioners, who must balance the need for adequate jail staffing with the financial realities of the county's budget.
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: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Inmates moved due to jail staffing issues
Despite adding dozens of deputies to fully staff their jail...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC) and curated for The Minneapolis readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Cory Knudsen at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News (ABC). To learn more about how The Minneapolis selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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