A Minnesota Department of Corrections inmate who was among the first to be released early from her sentence under the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA) is now a wanted fugitive.
Viance Marie Nin, 23, was released from the Shakopee women’s prison in September of this year after serving only 16 months in prison of her 48-month sentence on a conviction for second-degree drug sales.
According to the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) website, Nin absconded from supervision last week and is listed as a wanted fugitive.
The MRRA was legislation passed on a party-line vote and signed by Gov. Tim Walz during the 2023 Minnesota DFL trifecta, which gave the DOC authority to decide if or when inmates could become eligible for early release from prison.
Under Minnesota law prior to the legislation, inmates were already only required to serve two-thirds of their sentence incarcerated before becoming eligible for release. However, the MRRA allows for prisoners to be released as early as the 50% mark as long as they follow an individualized rehabilitation plan, Walz-appointed Commissioner of Corrections Paul Schnell explained during a legislative hearing in February 2023.
Nin was convicted in May 2024 under the terms of a plea deal on an amended count of second-degree drug sales after initially being charged with first-degree drug sales, third- and fifth-degree drug possession, and unlawful possession of prescription medications.
The original charging document states that Nin was arrested during a traffic stop after law enforcement received a tip that she was wanted on a warrant. At the time of her arrest, Nin was found with over 20 grams of methamphetamine, nearly 62 grams of marijuana, several pill bottles containing dozens of pills of prescription medications that were in another person’s name, a scale, a backpack containing a notebook with dates and “inventory” notations, and several clear zipper lock plastic baggies. At conviction, Nin was credited with 316 days spent in jail prior to her conviction.
DOC responds
The DOC said in a statement that it issued a warrant for Nin on Dec. 5 after she failed to report to her supervision agent’s office as directed.
“Ms. Nin is now listed as a wanted fugitive. The issuance of a warrant for violating supervised release conditions is standard protocol,” the agency said.
“Ms. Nin, 23, was serving a 48-month sentence for the non-violent offense of second-degree drug sales. She was released from the Minnesota Correctional Facility–Shakopee on September 8, 2025, after meeting the requirements for early release under the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA). Her regular release date was scheduled for March 18, 2026,” the statement continued.
The department confirmed that Nin earned early release under the MRRA in an initial pilot program.
“The MRRA, which aims to support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism through incentive-based opportunities, is being developed and implemented through a careful pilot process, allowing the DOC to test procedures and adjust policies before expanding the program more broadly,” the DOC said.
The agency said it remains committed to public safety and to “supporting individuals in their efforts to successfully reintegrate into the community.”
“The measured rollout of MRRA was designed to help us identify areas that may require more scrutiny,” said DOC Commissioner Paul Schnell. “It is always disappointing when a person fails to comply with the requirements of supervision—and even more so when it follows a thorough review, demonstration of good conduct, and completion of programming. Incentive-based programs like MRRA and the Challenge Incarceration Program (CIP) produce better outcomes overall, but we know that issues related to relapse or other personal struggles can undermine individual success.”
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
