a 'minimum security prison' [=a prison in which prisoners are allowed more freedom than in most other prisons because they are not considered dangerous or likely to escape]
Ten years is the 'minimum' needed. = We'll need 10 years 'at a/the minimum'. [=we'll need at least 10 years]
We need to keep expenses 'to a (bare) minimum'. [=we need to keep expenses as low as possible]
(..) - Yes. Cyrus was actually trained by the monks of New Skete. He's incredibly well-behaved. He was housebroken in an hour. He has a two-bark minimum for delivery guys... three for everybody else, but the best thing... is he doesn't do any of the standard "sit" and "lie down" commands. (..)2004 TvShow: Gilmore Girls Title: The Nanny and the Professor Season: 4 Episode 10