Gov. Evers Signs Act 185 Trailer Bill
"I look forward to having a larger conversation about reforming our juvenile justice system."
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers last Friday signed Assembly Bill 188, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 8, into law. Wisconsin Act 8 makes a number of technical changes to 2017 Wisconsin Act 185, including modifying the deadlines related to county-run juvenile facilities, modifying the deadline for closing Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake, and clarifying the process for transferring between facilities.
“Our top priority remains getting our kids out of Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake and closer to home as soon as we safely and responsibly can, and our agencies are working to collaborate and find efficiencies in this process,” said Gov. Evers. “I look forward to having a larger conversation about reforming our juvenile justice system. We need to focus on investing in front-end prevention, alternatives, and diversion when youth intersect with the justice system, and trauma-informed, evidence-based practices.”
Office of the Governor
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Facilities
- Gov. Evers, Doc Celebrate Opening of New Juvenile Corrections Facility in Milwaukee, Marking Significant Milestone in Efforts to Close Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools for Good - Gov. Tony Evers - Oct 14th, 2026
- MKE County: See Inside New Juvenile Detention Facility - Graham Kilmer - Mar 5th, 2026
- State Juvenile Prisons Finally Complete Court-Ordered Reforms - Graham Kilmer - Jan 28th, 2026
- Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Youth Facilities Found in Compliance, Triggering End to Court-Ordered Monitoring Set in Place by 2017 Lawsuit - American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin - Jan 28th, 2026
- Gov. Evers, Doc Celebrate Completion Of Successful Reforms at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools - Gov. Tony Evers - Jan 28th, 2026
- Gov. Evers Announces State Building Commission Approves Approximately $185 Million in Projects Across Wisconsin - Gov. Tony Evers - Dec 17th, 2025
- Building Commission OKs Planning Funds to Reorganize Wisconsin Prisons - Sarah Lehr - Oct 29th, 2025
- State Building Commission Releases Funding Gov. Evers Requested to Revamp Corrections Facilities - Gov. Tony Evers - Oct 28th, 2025
- Gov. Evers Announces Evers Administration to Move Forward with Comprehensive Plans to Revamp Corrections Facilities - Gov. Tony Evers - Oct 14th, 2025
- For The First Time, Wisconsin’s Youth Prisons Are Fully Compliant With Required Reforms - Rich Kremer - Oct 3rd, 2025
Read more about Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Facilities here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Gov. Tony Evers
Gov. Evers, Doc Celebrate Opening of New Juvenile Corrections Facility in Milwaukee, Marking Significant Milestone in Efforts to Close Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools for Good
Oct 14th, 2026 by Gov. Tony EversFirst-of-its-kind facility for youth in Wisconsin is designed to keep kids close to home, while bolstering mentorship, education, and treatment, bringing state closer to closing youth facilities, and moving forward statewide corrections realignment plan
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