The elected sheriffs of Minnesota gave a “vote of no confidence” on state Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell during their winter conference, the officials’ professional organization announced Monday in criticizing how the agency inspects and licenses county jails.

The Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association based the decision on ongoing issues and operational challenges the sheriffs had in working with the Department of Corrections, the agency’s Jail Inspection and Enforcement Unit and “specifically with the DOC’s leadership,” according to a news release.

“In recent years, the DOC has begun a pattern of interpreting the law and taking enforcement actions based on whim rather than rule,” the sheriffs wrote.

The release said the DOC’s “arbitrary and capricious decisions are consistently creating hardships for those community members who are incarcerated, the legal community, law enforcement and especially the sheriff’s offices who must anticipate which erratic action the DOC will take against their county.”

In response later Monday, the DOC said that the department “categorically rejects the claim that its actions are arbitrary or unsupported by law. Licensing and enforcement decisions are issued pursuant to statutory authority, established rules, and long-standing administrative practice.”

The agency said its actions are “rooted in law, supported by documentation, and driven by the obligation to prevent harm, protect life, and reduce legal and financial risk to counties and the state. When deficiencies rise to the level of serious risk, DOC has a duty to act.”

Richard Hodsdon, the sheriffs’ association’s legal counsel, also singled out the agency’s oversight of county jails.

“The DOC has issued arbitrary orders against several Minnesota county jails that have cost property taxpayers millions of dollars without any evidence that its commands have done anything to make jails safer or better for those incarcerated or to better promote  public safety,” he said in the statement. “Under the Commissioner and Jail Enforcement managers, the DOC has clearly changed from a supportive and assisting partner that helps counties run well-managed jails to the use of heavy-handed and draconian sanctions to impose the personal whims and preferences of some DOC staff on how they think jails should be run.”

The release said the sheriffs of Minnesota’s 87 counties were “overwhelming” in support of the vote of no confidence.

“What is really shocking is that they fail to hold themselves to the same high, and unwritten, standards that they impose on the jails,” the statement said.

The DOC said the sheriffs organization’s announcement “should not distract from the real issue at hand: ensuring that people held in Minnesota jails do not suffer preventable harm and that counties are not exposed to unnecessary legal and financial risk. DOC will not retreat from its responsibility to enforce minimum standards simply because doing so is unpopular or inconvenient.”

Under Schnell’s leadership, the department remains committed to transparency, collaboration and lawful oversight, the DOC said.

“We stand ready to work with sheriffs, counties, advocates, and policymakers in good faith to improve jail safety and operations across Minnesota — because lives depend on it.”

The Pioneer Press attempted to reach east metro sheriffs for comment on their professional organization’s action.

When the Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry was asked which way he voted and if he had any specific criticisms or comments about county jail inspections, a spokesperson referred to the MSA press release. Agencies in Dakota and Ramsey counties had not responded as of Monday night.

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz appointed Schnell commissioner of the DOC in January 2019. In 1993, Schnell became a deputy sheriff with the Carver County Sheriff’s Office and six years later joined the St. Paul Police Department. He was also the chief of police in Hastings, Maplewood and Inver Grove Heights.

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Today is Tuesday, Dec. 23, the 357th day of 2025. There are eight days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Dec. 23, 1972, in an NFL playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, Steelers running back Franco Harris scored a game-winning touchdown on a deflected pass with less than 10 seconds left. The “Immaculate Reception,” as the catch came to be known, is often cited as the greatest NFL play of all time.

Also on this date:

In 1823, the poem “Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas” was published anonymously in the Troy Sentinel of New York; the verse, more popularly known as “The Night Before Christmas,” was later attributed to Clement C. Moore.

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Waymos blocked roads and caused chaos during San Francisco power outage

In 1913, the Federal Reserve System was created as President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act.

In 1941, during World War II, American forces on Wake Island surrendered to Japanese forces.

In 1948, former Japanese Premier Hideki Tojo and six other Japanese World War II leaders were executed in Tokyo after being tried for war crimes and sentenced to death by hanging.

In 1968, 82 crew members of the intelligence ship USS Pueblo were released by North Korea, 11 months after they had been captured.

In 1986, the experimental airplane Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana (JEE’-nuh) Yeager, completed the first nonstop, non-refueled round-the-world flight as it returned safely to Edwards Air Force Base in California.

In 2003, a Virginia jury sentenced teen sniper Lee Boyd Malvo to life in prison, sparing him the death penalty. Malvo and his older partner in crime, John Allen Muhammad, shot and killed 10 people over three weeks in October 2002, terrorizing the Washington, D.C., area. Muhammad was executed in 2009.

In 2024, President Joe Biden announced he was commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment weeks before Donald Trump, an outspoken proponent of capital punishment, was to begin a second term.

Today’s Birthdays:

Former Emperor Akihito of Japan is 92.
Actor-comedian Harry Shearer is 82.
Retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark is 81.
Actor Susan Lucci is 79.
Distance runner Bill Rodgers is 78.
Football Hall of Famer Jack Ham is 77.
Political commentator William Kristol is 73.
Author Donna Tartt is 62.
Rock musician Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam is 61.
Singer, model and former first lady of France Carla Bruni is 58.
Actor Finn Wolfhard is 23.

Which tagine is best?

Tagines are two-piece, slow-cooking vessels consisting of a cone-shaped top and a wide bowl of a base. Vegetables, meat and spices are layered and covered with liquid, and the whole dish cooks slowly in the oven for hours, filling your home with enticing flavors. The best tagines are the original slow-cookers, producing delicious dishes that are mostly hands-off.

The Kamsah Handmade and Hand-Painted Tagine Pot is traditional ceramic and is the best tagine to start with if you’re looking for an authentic kitchen tool.

What to know before you buy a tagine

Tagines are deeply rooted in North African cuisine but are making their way across the globe as people look for different ways to create delicious food. It helps to know a little bit more about this traditional cooking vessel before you buy.

Hole in the top vs. sealed

A sealed tagine is traditional. This keeps everything inside the cooking vessel moist as it cooks for a long period. Some updated tagines come with a hole in the top, but make sure you have plenty of liquid when you cook if you choose this style.

Size

Size matters when you are cooking for a family. Look for a larger tagine that can make six or more servings for a crowd. You might also consider getting a larger tagine so that the food is not crowded inside the pot. This allows for more liquid and prevents the tagine from cracking during baking.

Unglazed vs. glazed

Again, if you are going for a more traditional tagine style, choose an unglazed clay pot. This requires a close eye on the level of liquid as you cook, and it does need to be seasoned before its first use.

 If you prefer less fuss, look for a glazed clay tagine. Or skip the clay altogether and go for cast-iron or enameled cast-iron.

How you’ll use it

Some traditional tagines are meant for cooking, while others are only for serving. If you have a tagine that is only for serving, the inside may be beautifully painted. Cooking tagines are usually plain on the inside, with the only painted design on the outside.

What to look for in a quality tagine

Lead-free

In the past, traditional tagines from North Africa had trace levels of lead. If you choose a clay tagine, look for any indication that it is manufactured lead-free.

Tight lid

A tight-fitting lid means that moisture stays in your food and does not escape into your kitchen. The lid will not seal, but it should nest securely in the base.

Quality materials

The best tagine for you is the one that fits your cooking style. Although clay is traditional, you can also choose tagines in other materials, including cast iron, enameled cast iron and aluminum.

How much you can expect to spend on a tagine

Workers in North Africa traditionally bring their individual lunch to work in a $5 aluminum tagine. In the U.S., expect to spend $60-$300 for a sturdier, family-sized tagine.

Tagine FAQ

What is a tagine used for?

A. Tagines are a staple kitchen tool in Moroccan cuisine, but many cultures worldwide can benefit from their design. The slow, even cooking of a tagine and the subtle mineral flavors imparted by the clay mean that even the toughest cuts of meat will slowly become tender and flavorful when cooked in this pot style.

Other dishes that are delectable when cooked in a tagine include:

Soups and stews
Rice-based dishes
Shakshuka
Meatballs
Vegetarian dishes flavored with harissa

How do you care for a tagine?

A. The specific care instructions will vary depending on the type of tagine you have. When in doubt, consult your owner’s manual for care instructions.

If you have a clay tagine, you will need to season it before its first use. This not only makes the clay stronger and less likely to break, but it also removes a lingering taste of clay. Start by soaking your tagine in water for at least two hours. Once dry, brush both the lid and the base with olive oil and bake in a 300-degree oven for two hours. Turn off the heat and keep the oven door closed, allowing the tagine to cool completely.

To clean your clay tagine after baking, handwash only and allow it to dry before brushing with a thin coat of olive oil.

A cast-iron tagine without enamel needs to be seasoned as a cast iron pot would. This means brushing a neutral oil or vegetable shortening on the cast iron and baking it upside down in a 375-degree oven.

Cast iron should only be scrubbed clean with hot water and maybe a little salt if there is stuck-on food. Re-season as needed when you notice that it is no longer nonstick.

What’s the best tagine to buy?

Top tagine

Kamsah Handmade and Hand-Painted Tagine Pot

What you need to know: This traditional tagine is handmade and hand-painted, so each is unique.

What you’ll love: This is perfect for slow cooking at low temperatures in this traditional cooking style. The base and lid are of glazed ceramic. Although it’s best used for oven cooking, you can use it on a cooktop.

What you should consider: It has to be soaked in cold water before using it for the first time. It is also temperature sensitive, so do not place a hot tagine on a cold surface.

Top tagine for the money

Kook Moroccan Tagine

What you need to know: This beautiful enameled tagine is a great place to start for delicious Moroccan stews.

What you’ll love: This tagine does not need to be seasoned before its first use. It’s made from heavy cast iron and enameled to be nonstick. The ceramic lid is perfect for steam basting, and this tagine is freezer safe.

What you should consider: The lid is looser than some other tagines, and cast iron is a nontraditional material.

Worth checking out

Emile Henry Flame Tagine

What you need to know: This tagine is beautiful and designed to handle changes in temperature that other tagines can’t.

What you’ll love: This tagine is versatile and can be used on a variety of cooktops, including grills. It’s freezer safe and can go from the freezer to a hot oven. It’s oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and you can wash it in the dishwasher.

What you should consider: This is very expensive, and many buyers reported that the tagine arrived broken due to improper packaging.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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