MCF-Shakopee was opened in 1920 to provide women with separate incarceration facilities from men, but in recent years, Shakopee has prioritized male access for incarcerated males who “identify” as women.

In recent years, MCF-Shakopee has housed multiple male Incarcerated Persons in the prison, an all-female facility.

For example, a DOC employee reports that Margot Lewis is a male with intact anatomy and housed at MCF-Shakopee.

Alpha News reported in September 2024 on at least 5 known males either previously or currently incarcerated at Shakopee. Two of them are convicted sex offenders, and the convicted murderer serving a life in prison sentencing is still at Shakopee.