Breaking the cycle for incarcerated Minnesotans

Incarceration can set off a domino effect of hardship—lost income, missed rent, strained family ties. After release, a criminal record or eviction makes it hard to find a job or housing. Those roadblocks can be destabilizing and, as a result, many justice-involved people can get stuck in a cycle that’s hard to escape.

To disrupt that cycle, Adult Representation Services (ARS) has partnered with the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility (ACF), which houses adults convicted and sentenced for up to one year in custody. Thanks to the partnership, ACF residents now have access to legal counsel on evictions, child protection, child support, and other civil matters.

“This is an innovative program that offers civil legal aid to people while they’re still incarcerated,” said Rachelle Stratton, a principal attorney with ARS and one of the program’s developers.

Initially, ARS worked with the ACF on a screening tool for residents that identified any open cases. There were some limitations with that tool, so Stratton and her team came up with a better solution.

“We thought, wouldn’t it be more valuable for us to meet with residents in person? So that’s what we started doing.”

On the first Monday of each month, ARS attorneys and client resource advocates host group sessions and one-on-one consultations at the facility. The program has quickly gained traction: Since April 2024, ARS has met with more than 350 ACF residents. 

Promoting stable housing

ARS has expunged eviction records, or removed them from public view, for over a dozen ACF residents to date. They have also helped residents negotiate with landlords to avoid eviction altogether.

“Some ACF residents aren’t even aware that they have an eviction case against them until they meet with the ARS lawyers,” said Bonni Fredrickson, ACF corrections institutional supervisor. “Without that legal access, those individuals may be released without housing.”

Helping people reach self-sufficiency and stability—going beyond legal representation in court—is the foundation of ARS and reflects Hennepin County’s approach to supporting residents with wraparound services.

“If we can help people find safe and stable housing, that becomes a basis for them to also secure employment, education and more,” said Colleen Walbran, a senior attorney with the ARS housing team.

Working together with the attorneys, ARS client resource advocates like Michael Williams connect residents with housing vouchers, food and medical benefits, domestic violence resources, and other essentials.

“It’s important that residents are going out with a plan and not trying to figure it all out on their own,” said Williams. “If they are successful with their plan, it’s a lot less likely that they will re-offend.”

Supporting parents, strengthening families

Approximately two-thirds of adults in Minnesota jails are parents of minor children. ARS and the ACF aim to reduce the impact of incarceration on families in a few different ways.

Some residents are facing child protection cases tied to economic hardship. ARS represents them in court and advocates for services, so they can successfully reunite with their children. ARS has also helped parents modify their child support obligations while incarcerated, preventing debt from piling up.

In 2024, the ACF launched a child-friendly visitation program in partnership with the Minnesota Prison Doula Project. The program includes weekly parenting classes, peer support, and in-person and video visits with children up to age 17.

“The visitation program supports children’s well-being by promoting parent-child engagement and fostering those relationships,” said Fredrickson.

ARS provided guidance on the parent education classes so they align with resident case plans. Stratton recalls one resident serving an eight-month sentence whose children’s mother had passed away, making him the sole parent. His case plan required parenting education, but he couldn’t leave the facility to complete it. Offering the courses on-site allowed him to stay on track and maintain his connection with his children.

“Eviction processes and child protection timelines don’t pause just because someone is incarcerated,” said Stratton. “Our goal is to ensure that when people are released, they’re in the best possible position to move forward and get back on track.” 

Published 11/26/25