Minnesota Department of Corrections
Strategic Engagement Brief & Sales Playbook
A) MN DOC Overview
11
State-Run Facilities
~8,275
Inmate Population
~4,300
Total Employees
$1.6B+
Biennial Budget
Core Mission:
"Transforming Lives For A Safer Minnesota," with a strategic focus on rehabilitation and maintaining a zero-escape record from secure facilities.
B) Summary of Facilities & Population
A centralized system with a significant portion of the population housed in high-security facilities, representing key targets for initial deployment.
MCF-Faribault
1,919 Inmates (Medium)
MCF-Stillwater
1,187 Inmates (Close)
MCF-Moose Lake
1,024 Inmates (Medium)
MCF-Rush City
943 Inmates (Close)
MCF-St. Cloud
926 Inmates (Close/Intake)
MCF-Oak Park Heights
282 Inmates (Maximum)
C) Leadership & Organizational Structure
A highly centralized structure where a single executive oversees both security and IT, creating a streamlined path for an integrated solution.
Paul Schnell
Commissioner (Executive Sponsor)
Focus: Officer safety, public confidence, and overall agency vision. Receptive to transformative change.
Safia Khan Primary Target
Deputy Commissioner & Chief of Staff
Unique dual oversight of **Safety/Security AND Information Technology**. The key to a unified sale.
Paula Graff
Assistant Commissioner (Technical Gatekeeper)
Oversees IT infrastructure and procurement. Values seamless integration and low maintenance.
Wardens (High-Security)
Operational Champions
Concerned with actionable intelligence, CERT team safety, and reducing facility lockdowns.
D) Threat Analysis & Solution Mapping
The Aerial Threat is Real & Local
Contraband Interdiction
Drones bypass traditional security to deliver Fentanyl, narcotics, cell phones & weapons.
Local Precedent: Sustained smuggling at Sandstone, MN federal prison (2023-24).
Unauthorized Surveillance
Hostile actors can map facilities, track officer movements, and identify security vulnerabilities to plan escapes or riots.
Inmate & Officer Safety
Contraband fuels internal violence and lockdowns, disrupting the DOC's rehabilitative mission. Fentanyl poses a lethal risk to officers.
Motorola's Integrated Solution
The Airspace Shield
Provides real-time detection, tracking of the drone's flight path, and critically, **pinpoints the pilot's location** for apprehension.
The Tactical Response
The LEMUR S drone safely resolves internal high-risk situations (barricades, riots) with 4K video, two-way audio for de-escalation, and glass-breaking capabilities.
E) Evidence & Case Studies
SkySafe Success: CA Dept. of Corrections
Problem: Significant contraband smuggling via drones across a large prison system.
Outcome: "SkySafe...has already provided real, actionable intelligence that led to the confiscation of illegal drugs before they got into the wrong hands." - CDCR Correctional Sergeant
BRINC Success: Las Vegas Metro PD SWAT
Problem: High-risk barricaded suspect situations with danger to officers.
Outcome: LEMUR S is used for remote recon and de-escalation via two-way audio, leading to numerous peaceful surrenders and a significant reduction in use-of-force incidents.
F) Action Plan (Sept - Dec 2025)
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2025
Phase 1: Intelligence & Outreach
Leverage lobbyists, research facility-specific threats, and initiate high-level outreach to Deputy Commissioner Safia Khan.
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2025
Phase 2: Engagement & Demonstration
Conduct an executive briefing and a compelling, end-to-end technology demo (Detect with SkySafe -> Respond with BRINC).
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2025
Phase 3: Proposal & Pipeline Development
Co-develop a 90-day pilot program, provide budgetary estimates, and secure a commitment for the 2026 budget request.
G) The "Three Whys" Messaging Framework
Why Do Anything?
The risk of inaction is unacceptable. Criminals are actively using drones to attack prisons in Minnesota. A single fentanyl drop could cause a mass casualty event, representing a failure to protect staff and a concession of institutional control.
Why Now?
The threat is evolving faster than traditional security. Waiting for a catastrophe is a reactive posture. The technology to defeat this threat is mature and proven. Acting now prevents a tragedy rather than explaining one later.
Why Motorola?
We offer the only truly integrated ecosystem. SkySafe detects the threat and locates the pilot. BRINC provides the tactical response. CommandCentral integrates the data. We are Minnesota's long-standing, trusted public safety partner.