Community corrections ‘campus’ complete

There were plenty of smiles – and lots of gratitude – during last week’s ribbon-cutting at the new Steele County Community Corrections building.

“The jobs that take place in this building are not easy,” said Brad Meier, the president and CEO of the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce, “but now you have a proper facility to do those jobs in, and in close proximity to other things – especially the courthouse.”

The new building sits just across the street south of the courthouse, at 121 E. Mill St. The Steele County Attorney’s office is directly to the west.

The facility got its footing in 2021, when Steele County officials earmarked federal funds – courtesy of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, an economic stimulus bill passed by Congress.

The plan “created a correctional campus,” said Tim Schammel, director of Community Corrections, “that provided us a new building that allows for future growth … and a very purposeful construction plan for the security and safety of our community corrections staff.”

Included in that design are interview rooms, public and secure conference rooms, an evidence room, a testing bathroom and a urinalysis lab.

Schammel thanked the Steele County Board of Commissioners “for valuing our department, the safety of our staff and the work we do,” and praised the staff “for their outstanding work. Their efforts are making a significant impact not only on the individuals we serve daily, but also public safety for the residents of Steele County.”

Greg Krueger, who is a commissioner, said the facility was “built with no Steele County levy dollars.”

The community corrections team, he said, “has proven that working with people in the (criminal justice) system is reducing recidivism rates and helping clients become active members of our community and actively employed, raising families, paying taxes and not returning to the situations that caused their problems.”

Krueger thanked the county board “for realizing the need for the facility and using available federal grant dollars, saving the county $80,000 a year in lease payments – and not increasing the burden on the taxpayers.”

He also applauded the work of “the entire Steele County team involved with public safety, for keeping us safe and secure. They do it realizing it’s your tax dollars that support their initiatives, and they use those dollars in the most efficient way possible.”

The office provides services to the district court in juvenile delinquency and adult criminal cases. The duties include preparing investigative reports as ordered by the court, field supervision and case management services.