SHAKOPEE  — Construction has started on a secure fence around the only Minnesota prison that doesn’t have one.

The new fence at the Shakopee women’s prison has its supporters and its opponents. Resident Gene Pottheier said his family has lived near the prison for 30 years and has never had safety concerns.

About 640 inmates are housed at the prison and range from low-level risk to violent offenders. Nine-five women have been convicted of murder.

Sen. Eric Pratt, of Prior Lake, lobbied for more than $5 million in state money to cover the cost of the fence. Pratt said in a press release that because of concerns about neighborhood aesthetics, the fence won’t have barbed wire and concrete. Instead the fence will be wrought iron and brick.

The fence is expected to be done by next spring.