Help after prison or jail in Minnesota
We've found 10 places in Minnesota for people after prison or jail, mostly in St. Paul and Minneapolis, and 7 that serve the whole state. Our volunteers haven't confirmed these yet, so a quick call ahead is worth it. Most of them help with shelter & housing (4), food (3) and benefits & cash (3).
Places in Minnesota
Justice North
Legal aid for northern Minnesota, formed from the merger of Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota and Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota, covering Duluth and St. Louis County. Handles civil matters for low-income and vulnerable residents; apply online or through the statewide intake line.
United Way 211 Minnesota
Free, confidential referral line staffed by Community Resource Specialists who point Minnesotans to shelter, food, benefits, and health programs. Dial 211, call the toll-free number, or text your ZIP code.
Reentry Services (Getting Out)
The state prison system's transitional programming: release planning, in-facility classes, Transitions Centers, and Transitions Fairs for people preparing to leave a Minnesota correctional facility. Contact your facility caseworker first; the central office number is listed for general questions.
MNbenefits
Online application for SNAP food assistance, cash assistance, child care assistance, emergency assistance, and Emergency General Assistance for adults without children. One form covers multiple programs and routes to your county or tribal agency.
Office of Vital Records
Issues certified Minnesota birth certificates by mail or fax; MDH itself has no walk-in counter. For same-day service, go to any county vital records office with photo ID. Mail requests need a notarized signature, or a witness can complete the Statement to Identify form if you lack ID.
Minnesota ID Card
State ID cards are issued at DVS exam stations and deputy registrar offices. Bring documents proving full name and date of birth; if you cannot, you may request a variance. Reduced-cost or free cards exist for youth experiencing homelessness.
Higher Ground Minneapolis Shelter
Emergency shelter for single men in downtown Minneapolis. Free beds are reserved through the Hennepin Shelter Hotline; Pay-for-Stay beds at $7 a night are available around the clock.
Bethel Hotel Men's Emergency Shelter
Emergency shelter for men in St. Paul with a bed, a meal, a hot shower, and clean clothes. Intake runs 24 hours a day; call or email ahead. A separate Naomi Family Program serves women and mothers with children at 651-444-5880.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Free civil legal help for low-income people in 20 central Minnesota counties including Hennepin, seniors 60+ in 26 counties, and people with disabilities statewide. Cases include housing, public benefits, family, consumer, and immigration. Apply by phone or online intake.
Ujamaa Place
Free, culturally specific program in St. Paul for African American men ages 18 to 30 facing poverty and criminal justice involvement. Coaches address housing, education, employment, and court issues. Fill out the online enrollment form and a coach calls within 48 hours, or attend a Monday 10am information session.
National lines that work in Minnesota
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.