Minnesota Agencies

The task force consults with the Commissioner of Corrections regarding choice of model programs to receive funding, reviews and makes recommendations on matters affecting female offenders, identifies problem areas, and assists the Commissioner in seeking improved programming for female offenders.

According to a 1998 report by the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: "In 1978, a group of women concerned with the lack of services for adult female offenders in Minnesota met, under the direction of the Commissioner of Corrections, to formulate recommendations to address this service delivery deficit. As a result of their advocacy efforts, the State legislature passed legislation in 1981 that formed the Advisory Task Force on the Female Offender to address this issue and hired a full- time Director of Planning for Female Offenders within the Department of Corrections."

A 2007 report by the Minnesota Department of Corrections discusses the early days of the task force in this way: "The Minnesota DOC established an informal task force in 1978 to address women’s issues and allocated an administrative staff position to take on the responsibility of addressing the needs of female offenders on a state-wide basis. Through the leadership of the Minnesota State Legislature, a statute mandating parity for women offenders and establishing an Advisory Task Force on Female Offenders was passed in 1981... The Planning for Female Offenders (PFO) program was established in 1981... The PFO was integral in shaping the direction of planning and implementing initiatives for women and girls in Minnesota’s criminal justice systems. Initial efforts were directed toward the construction of a new facility at Shakopee, the women’s prison."

The Advisory Task Force on the Woman and Juvenile Female Offender in Corrections was reviewed by the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy (LCPFP) in 2013 as part of their biennial duty required by Minn. Stat. 3.885 Subd. 11. The LCPFP's 2013 Recommendations called for keeping the task force.

20 members (statewide geographical distribution); appointed by commissioner of corrections; terms governed by Minn. Stat. 15.059; compensation governed by Minn. Stat. 15.059. Members shall reflect a statewide geographical representation, as well as reflect a diverse cultural background.