Hennepin County Jail

13 photos · 2020–2021

13 photographs tagged Hennepin County Jail, 2020–2021.

Inmates in windows of Downtown Minneapolis county jail — Inmates inside the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility, also known as the Hennepin County Jail, look down on a protest occurring below in Downtown Minneapolis. This facility, which serves as the primary detention center for Hennepin County, is situated adjacent to the historic Minneapolis City Hall. During the protest, individuals gathered outside, playing music and advocating for the release of those incarcerated.

Protesters demand release of other protesters — Protesters gather outside the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility in Downtown Minneapolis. The gathering seeks the release of individuals arrested during a downtown Minneapolis march earlier in the evening. Completed in 1982, the facility houses the Hennepin County Jail and serves as a central hub for public safety operations in the county.

Hennepin County Sheriff Officers Outside County Jail — Hennepin County Sheriff's Officers stand guard outside the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility in downtown Minneapolis. This complex houses the Hennepin County Jail and other public safety operations, serving as a central point for the county's justice system. Officers were deployed as protesters gathered following arrests made during a march in solidarity with Jacob Blake.

Hennepin County Sheriff Officer guards jail outside — A Hennepin County Sheriff's Officer stands outside the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility in downtown Minneapolis. This occured during a march seeking justice for Jacob Blake.

Police officers surround county jail in Downtown Minneapolis — Hennepin County Sheriff's Officers and other law enforcement personnel stand guard outside the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility in downtown Minneapolis. This complex serves as a central hub for the county's justice system, including the Hennepin County Jail. The officers were deployed during a protest that occurred after several individuals were arrested following a large march downtown. This march was held in solidarity with Jacob Blake, highlighting ongoing public concerns regarding law enforcement actions and civil rights.

Broken windows at county jail in Downtown Minneapolis — The main entrance of the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility in downtown Minneapolis displays damage to its glass doors. This facility, which includes the Hennepin County Jail, serves as a central hub for the county's public safety and justice operations.

Armed police on top of Minneapolis Jail — Hennepin County Sheriff's Officers stand guard on the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility in downtown Minneapolis. This occurred during a protest in August 2020, following the arrest of a dozen individuals after a large march in solidarity with Jacob Blake. Completed in 1982, the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility houses the Hennepin County Jail and other public safety operations for the county.

Police offficers in riot gear coming out of garage doors — Hennepin County Sheriff's officers, some equipped with riot gear and holding cans of irritants, stand inside the garage of the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility in downtown Minneapolis. Their deployment was in response to a protest gathering outside the facility, where individuals demanded the release of those arrested earlier. The protest was part of a Jacob Blake solidarity march through downtown Minneapolis, reflecting broader unrest. The Hennepin County Public Safety Facility functions as a primary jail for the county, serving as a central point for law enforcement operations and public demonstrations concerning justice.

Inmate support pizza at Downtown Minneapolis jail — Pizza boxes, some with slices remaining, are seen outside the Hennepin County Jail in downtown Minneapolis in August 2020. These provisions were supplied by "jail support" for protesters who had gathered at the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility. The protest demanded the release of individuals arrested earlier that evening, following a march in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. A handwritten note on one box, "ONLY TOUCH YOUR SLICE," indicates a practical instruction for sharing food during the event.

Hennepin County Jail surrounded by temporary metal fencing and concrete barriers during February 2021 security preparations in downtown Minneapolis. — Hennepin County Jail, Minneapolis. Temporary fencing and concrete barriers surround the jail complex in downtown Minneapolis during security preparations tied to the Derek Chauvin trial in February 2021. The jail stands next to the Hennepin County Government Center campus.

Hennepin County Jail surrounded by chain link security fencing and metal poles at night in downtown Minneapolis. — Hennepin County Jail in downtown Minneapolis was surrounded by temporary security fencing in February 2021. Additional barriers were installed around government buildings in the area before the Derek Chauvin trial. The jail is part of the Hennepin County public safety and court complex.

Barricades at the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility — Security barricades and fencing surround the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility in Minneapolis on February 24, 2021 in anticipation of the Derek Chauvin murder trial. The extensive security measures, including concrete barriers and razor wire, were implemented to manage potential protests and ensure the safety of the courthouse and surrounding areas. On May 25, 2020, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered 46-year-old George Floyd during an arrest outside Cup Foods at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in south Minneapolis. Video recorded by bystanders showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes while Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe. Three other Minneapolis police officers - J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao — were also present during the arrest and later faced criminal charges for their roles in Floyd’s death. Floyd’s murder sparked protests and civil unrest across Minneapolis and around the world, leading to widespread demonstrations against police violence, major policy debates on policing, and the conviction of Chauvin on murder and manslaughter charges in 2021.

Fencing around Hennepin Public Safety Facility — Security fencing surrounds the Hennepin County Jail in downtown Minneapolis, as seen prior to the Kim Potter trial. The fencing was erected in anticipation of protests related to the trial of Kim Potter, who was accused of killing Daunte Wright. The concrete barrier in the foreground is marked "Hennepin County Transportation," indicating its proximity to transportation infrastructure or facilities managed by the county.

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