SHAKOPEE, Minn. — A Minnesota women’s prison is discontinuing its policy that barred inmates from shaking hands or giving high-fives.

The Shakopee woman’s prison has banned unsanctioned contact between inmates for the past eight years.

Critics have called the prison’s “no-touch” policy cruel and unconstitutional.

Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schell said Friday that, “It wasn’t a healthy policy.” Schell said he believes the upcoming change will foster a “more humane environment.”