In 1984, she left elected office and accepted a managerial position in the administrative office of the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC). Having developed an interest in the criminal mind, she requested and received a mobility assignment at the adult male prison in Lino Lakes, Minnesota.

There she worked inside the walls and had direct contact with both staff and inmates. Upon her return to the administrative office of the DOC, Ms. Entzel was the Assistant Commissioner of Legislative Relations and Juvenile Services. Her focus was crime prevention and early intervention programs. She retired in 1999 and is living with her husband in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.