Our origins
Built by the people closest to the prison system
Get Free Minnesota began with people affected by incarceration, their families, and neighbors who saw that policy decisions in St. Paul shape daily life in every Minnesota community. We organize to change how the state's prison system operates.
Minnesota
Where our work is rooted
State Capitol
Where our coalitions show up
Our principles
Three commitments guide our work
Every decision we make starts from these foundations, shaped by the people our work affects.
Commitment one
Centering affected people
Organizing decisions center people currently or previously incarcerated and their family networks, who lead the priorities we pursue.
Commitment two
Policy literacy
We address systemic prison operations rather than abstract criminal justice theories, so members understand how policy works in practice.
Commitment three
Durable solidarity
Collaborative coalitions build long-term relationships across neighborhoods, so our presence endures beyond any single legislative session.
Our story
Growing coalitions across the state
Coalitions form in neighborhood centers, faith halls, and community rooms across Minnesota, where people gather to share experiences and plan together. These meetings turn individual concerns into shared priorities that carry weight at the Capitol.
Our coalitions maintain a long-term presence at the Minnesota State Capitol in Saint Paul. We track bills, testify when invited, and return to our communities to report back, keeping decisions accountable to the people they affect.