BAYPORT, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Corrections is providing bottled water to inmates and staff at Stillwater state prison.
The move comes after Commissioner Paul Schnell ordered more comprehensive testing on well water at the prison.
Nearly 100 inmates refused to return to their cells in protest of the Labor Day weekend cell release schedule and what they called a lack of clean water. More than 51,000 bottles of water were delivered to the prison on Saturday and the population will receive up to seven bottles each per day.
A DOC spokesman says monthly tests have shown water at the prison does not pose a health risk. There have been no reports of water-related illnesses.