Curtis Shanklin Appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections Community Services Division
Following an extensive selection process, which included open applications and a series of interview panels, Curtis Shanklin has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner of Community Services.
Interview panels were comprised of professional association representatives (County Attorneys Association, Sheriff’s Association), county and community corrections leaders, victim advocacy representatives, executive leaders from various state agencies, DOC staff, and formerly incarcerated individuals.
Finalists were interviewed by the DOC’s executive team.
Shanklin is currently the State Co-Coordinator of the Minnesota Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (MN JDAI).
MN JDAI is the most successful juvenile justice reform effort in Minnesota to date, and places an acute focus on finding equitable and public safety-focused outcomes for justice-involved youth. During his career, Shanklin has worked directly with clients, as well as corrections program management.
“Curtis Shanklin brings an energy and perspective to our team that will benefit both our staff in the field and our connection with our community partners,” said Commissioner Schnell.
“I’m confident his ability to build relationships, and in his deep knowledge of the work, will result in improved outcomes for public safety and new opportunities for transforming the lives of those involved in the criminal justice system.”
With over 20 years of experience, Shanklin served as both an adult and juvenile probation officer and re-entry services supervisor for Arrowhead Regional Corrections in Duluth, along with previous work in both secure and non-secure correctional facilities. Curtis holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, which roots his work in both research and analysis.
In addition to his new role, Shanklin has served as an adjunct faculty at Metropolitan State University for the Department of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement. He is also a U.S. Department of Justice accredited Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) auditor. Shanklin holds his Master’s degree from Metropolitan State University and received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota Duluth (Go Dogs!).
“I am humbled by the privilege to serve as Deputy Commissioner of Community Services under the leadership of Commissioner Schnell. I wholeheartedly support the Walz-Flanagan administration’s vision for criminal justice reform in Minnesota, and I looking forward to joining my new DOC colleagues and our community partners to bolster staff safety and deliver transformative programming. I’ve always held the belief that anyone can be a “Monday morning quarterback,” but if you really want see change that delivers equitable outcomes, you have to be willing to get in the game and do your part. I’m ready to get to work.”