State corrections officials fire warden at Stillwater prison

Published 10:39 am Friday, October 21, 2016

STILLWATER — Minnesota’s Department of Corrections has fired the top official at one of the state’s largest prisons for allegedly breaking several policies.

Officials in September had suspended Stillwater prison warden Steve Hammer, pending an investigation. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that Hammer was fired Wednesday for allegedly violating at least five department policies including the employee code of conduct, policies surrounding emails, and those related to anti-discrimination and sexual harassment.

Department spokeswoman Sarah Fitzgerald declined to comment further.

Email newsletter signup

Department records show that Hammer had been disciplined twice before for inappropriate relationships with staff.

Hammer previously worked as warden of the Rush City prison. He took over at Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater in March 2015.

A telephone listing for Hammer in Stillwater couldn’t be found. He can appeal his termination.