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.

A 2007 report discusses the early days of the task force: "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 (Task Force) 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"