Department of Corrections

Prison Reforms Impact Many Legislators

One-third of all districts affected. Evers 'take it or leave it' plan likely to get lots of discussion and review.

Evers’ Prison Plan Receives Mixed Reviews

Lawmakers divided on $500 million plan, but local officials, advocacy groups like it.

Evers Calls for $500 Million Corrections Overhaul

Including closing Green Bay Prison, turning Waupun prison into 'vocational village.'

Gov. Evers Announces Comprehensive Corrections Reform Plan, Proposing Some of the Most Significant Facility and Capital Changes in Department of Corrections History

Governor announces sweeping reforms to improve public safety, reduce costs to taxpayers and recidivism, and support corrections staff

Dane County Will No Longer Send Immigration Data to the Feds

Some 25 Wisconsin counties accept federal funding to send info on immigrants to ICE.

Waupun Prison Employees Fired Amid Federal Smuggling Investigation

FBI launched investigation last year into staff conduct.

Milwaukee Is Losing a Generation of Black Men To Drug Crisis

Older Black men account for a growing share of Milwaukee drug deaths as fentanyl is mixed into cocaine.

Milwaukee County Jail Censorship Enjoined

Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk Calls On Gov. Evers’ To Get Serious About Public Safety

Statement by state Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk (R-Hubertus), the Vice Chair of the Assembly’s Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee, on Gov. Evers’ State of the State address:

Wisconsin’s Prisons Receiving Third-Party Review

Six month, $500,000 effort underway. Activists want engagement.

Statement on proposed ICE detention facility in the 9th Aldermanic District

Alderwoman Larresa Taylor January 14, 2025

Rep. Piwowarczyk Slams Gov. Evers for Creating New Wasteful Office of ‘Violence Prevention,’ Rather Than Supporting Cops

 

Coalition Launches Campaign to Make Wisconsin Prison, Jail Phone Calls Free

WISDOM pushes for better communication between families and those incarcerated.

Gov. Evers Announces Building Commission Approves More Than $81 Million in Projects Across Wisconsin, Republican Members Delay Approval of Funding for Critical UW System Building Projects

Republican legislators delay the reallocation more than $70 million in building projects for UW System, continuing obstruction of critically needed projects

‘First of its Kind in Wisconsin’ Collaboration Will Support Disabled Incarcerated Youth

'Break the cycle' program aims to help youth reentering society.

Wisconsin DOJ Awarded $7 Million for Substance Abuse Treatment 

Program provides services to prevent crisis, overdoses or criminal charges.

Act 10 Ruling Could Be Tough to Overturn

New ruling striking down law is based on argument Republicans have trouble answering.

Many Issues Raised At Evers’ Budget Listening Session

Concerns include housing costs, prison reform and 'humanitarian crisis' for refugees.

Sheriff’s Office Responds to Alarming Jail Audit Report

Board will take report up in December. Chairwoman Nicholson and County Executive Crowley call for collaboration on solutions.

Republicans Replace Senate President, Keep Majority Leader

State Sen. Mary Felzkowski will preside over slightly smaller GOP majority in upcoming legislative session.

How Does Election Security Work in Wisconsin?

Election clerks explain how vote tabulating process works.

Advocates Want An Ombudsman For Wisconsin’s Prisons, The State Has Other Plans

Department of Corrections pursuing outside contractor. Lawmakers could complicate both options.

United States Justice Department Secures Agreement with Wisconsin Department of Corrections to Improve Communication Access for Incarcerated People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Youth Prison Population Down, Costs Up

State charges counties $1,263 a day to incarcerate youth, up from $301 in 2015.

Wisconsin Nonprofit Barred From Sending Used Books To Prisoners

Department of Corrections says concern is about drug smuggling, declines to create exception for literacy group.

How League of Women Voters Helps People With Criminal Records

Those 'off paper' can vote. 'I’ve had people brought to tears,' advocate says.

Suspect in Green Bay Prison Death Charged with Homicide, Hate Crime 

Suspect told guard he killed cellmate because of race, sexual orientation.

Should Wisconsin Prisons Have Independent Oversight?

19 states have a prison ombudsman. Oversight could improve prisons, reduce lawsuits.

Cellmate a Suspect in Death at Green Bay Prison

Brown County Sheriff's Office investigating the death of a prisoner.

Despite Decline in Reported Crime, Wisconsin’s Prison Population Is Surging

Crowding is impacting the safety at state's aging prisons. Advocates, opponents talk solutions, pitfalls.

Green Bay Prison Has Returned to Normal, Which Is Still Bad

One-year lockdown over but conditions still dreadful. 'The environment is torture.'

Letters from Evers, Republicans Show Clash on Juvenile Corrections

Battling over court-mandated changes at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake facilities.

Following Counselor Death, Staff, Family Plead for Help At Lincoln Hills 

Counselor's family tells Senate death could have been prevented and state failed.

Milwaukee Senate and Assembly Races

A handful of partisan primaries will also determine the winner of the general election in November.

Lawmakers Grill Wisconsin Prison Officials Over Safety, Employee Death at Youth Facility

The eight-hour public hearing followed the death of a Lincoln Hills employee.

‘Kickbacks’ Crackdown Will Save Inmates Money on Jail Phone Calls

FCC cracks down on add-on fees, 'kickbacks' to jails and prisons.

Dodge County Sheriff Investigating Another Death at Waupun Correctional Institution

Death appears to be self-inflicted, sheriff's office says of ongoing inquiry

Lawmakers Approve Funding, Positions for Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center

Joint Finance Committee finally acts after holding up request for six months.

Daughter of man who died in Wisconsin prison pushes forward through despair

Wisconsin families with loved ones who died or are still in the prison system share how their pain turned into advocacy

Wisconsin’s Prisons Employ Doctors Who Were Censured

Questions about care offered. Many staff physicians were censured by a medical board.

Surveillance Technology Never Left Milwaukee After the DNC

Police gear acquired 4 years ago will play a role during the Republican Convention.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Corey P. Proulx

Families Express Concern With High Prices, Poor Reliability of Wisconsin Prison Phones

‘We pay $2.50 for a visit, and most of the time they won’t connect, or they’ll cut out in the middle of the visit.’

ACLU Suit Charges Wisconsin Ignored Law to Support Incarcerated Moms

Says state has failed to offer prison child care program called for in 1991 law.

UW, Prisons, MPS Now Capitol’s Top Issues

Evers and GOP legislators disagree. Issues could figure in fall elections.

Inmate Death Charges Reignite Charge To Close Wisconsin’s Oldest Prison

9 Waupun Correctional Institution staffers are accused of causing inmate deaths

New Election Commission Director Approved

Paulina Gutierrez has strong support of mayor, council president and commission staff.

Wisconsin’s System Lets Few Ineligible Voters on Felony Probation Slip Through

Less than 11 ineligible voters per year. Misunderstandings of the rules a major reason.

Council Happy With New Election Chief

'You are honestly one of the smartest people I have ever met,' says one alderman.

Warden, Eight Staff Charged in Inmate Deaths at Waupun Prison

'These people were not cared for,' said Dodge County Sheriff announcing charges.

Evers Administration Requests Dodge County Sheriff’s Office Keep Investigation Open into Waupun Correctional Institution as Internal, Federal Investigations Continue

ov. Evers Directs DOC to Continue Ongoing Internal Investigations at WCI, Report Findings to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office for Further Investigation and Potential Charges  Governor further directs DOC to release internal investigations findings publicly

Judge Kicks Most Inmates Off Waupun Prison Lawsuit

State argued inmates hadn't exhausted internal complaint process before suing.

Corrections Driving County Budget Into Deficit

Along with lower tax revenue than projected. '2024 may punch us in the face.'

GOP Senate Hurts Evers’ Talent Searches

Difficult to find cabinet secretaries when Senate keeps firing governor's appointees.

The Long Road To End Solitary Confinement in Wisconsin

"The hole" is torture on those confined to it argue opponents at legislative action day.

Making The Jump From ‘Inmate to ‘Voter’

Andron Lane's long journey to see his voting rights restored.

Supervisor Johnson Encourages Residents to Explore Department of Corrections Career Opportunities this Thursday

Future of Lincoln Hills Remains In Limbo

Troubled youth prison needs to meet consent decree terms, or compliance monitoring will follow system to new facility.

Attorney Requests Outside Monitor For Troubled Waupun Prison

New motion asks for end to lockdown restrictions, court-appointed monitor.

Senator Baldwin Delivers for Southeastern Wisconsin in Government Funding Legislation

Baldwin secured support for affordable housing, critical infrastructure, public safety, and more

Gov. Evers Keeps Promise to Protect LGBTQ Youth, Vetoes Anti-LGBTQ Bill Targeting Trans and Gender Nonconforming Kids

Gov. Evers Signs Legislation to Support Holocaust Education, Expand Emergency Detention and Urgent Crisis Care Facilities Statewide

Senator Baldwin Delivers for Law Enforcement, Public Safety Leaders in Government Funding Bill

Senate Fires 8 Evers Appointees, Approves 3 Constitutional Amendments

Senate ends session for year with governor 'apoplectic' over 'petty partisan politics.'

Baldwin Brings Home Over $211 Million for Dozens of Wisconsin Projects

Max Security Prison Under Federal Investigation After Drugs, Phones Discovered

Gov. Tony Evers requested Waupun investigation. Prison employees may have committed crimes.

State Department of Corrections Secretary Retiring

Kevin Carr will step down March 8 after five years overseeing prisons.

Gov. Evers Announces Carr Retiring After 40 Years in Public Service, Law Enforcement

Rep. Shelia Stubbs Celebrates Assembly Passage of AB 182

Relating to: Rental Readiness and AB 183-Relating to: Establishing and Operating Reentry Centers

More Job Applications Coming In For Wisconsin’s Prisons

New class of correctional officers is largest in decades, but vacancies remain an issue.

Assembly Advances Constitutional Amendment Banning Use of Race in Government Hiring

Supporters criticize DEI initiatives. Opponents say issue is manufactured.

Kirsten Johnson Aims to Restore Trust in Public Health

And bolster workforce. State DHS leader oversees nearly 6,000 employees.

10 Guards, 900 Inmates; Staff Shortages Have Plagued State Prisons

Slowing operations to a crawl, as inmates escaped, prisons locked down.

UWM Alumni Association announces 2024 awardees

Gov. Evers Declares 2024 the Year of the Worker

Governor’s declaration builds on administration’s work to bolster state’s workforce in high-demand, high-need industries

Legislators Raise Limits on Personal Property After Prisoner Denied Bible

Two Assembly Democrats oppose bill, saying it won't actually help prison inmates.

Board Gives Go-Ahead for Jail Audit

Policymakers authorize audit looking into cause of deaths at Milwaukee County Jail.

Juvenile Justice Facility Construction Could Start in Spring

New facility in Milwaukee will keep county youth out of state juvenile prisons.

Board Must Set Terms for Third Party Jail Audit

Supervisors will hear from county auditors on what is needed for the audit.

2023 Roundup: Gov. Evers Highlights 2023 Accomplishments

Staffing Improves At Correctional Facilities

But still understaffed: County jail reaches 74% of full staffing level and CRC 83%.

The Community a Lifeline for Current, Former Inmates

Milwaukee nonprofit does newsletters, videos and podcasts providing needed information.

Should National Guard Be Sent to State’s Prisons?

Some advocates pushing Gov. Evers to use guards to relieve staffing shortage.

DWD Equal Rights Case Portal Adopts MyWisconsin ID

Wisconsin Prisons Quietly Reinstate Copays For Those With COVID-19 Symptoms

State has one of the highest prisoner copays in nation. DOC says it would suspend copays for outbreaks.

Gov. Evers Keeps Promise to Protect LGBTQ Youth, Vetoes Bill Prohibiting Gender-Affirming Care in Wisconsin

Appleton Sex Offender Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography Possession

Gov. Evers Announces Easing of Restrictions At Two Prisons

Waupun, Green Bay prisons partially taken out of lockdown. Lawsuit alleges cruel and unusual punishment.

Representative Clancy Responds to Governor Evers’ Statement on Conditions of Confinement

The changes announced by the Evers’ administration are only a first step

After 28 Years in Prison He Had No Credit

Building or re-building credit is a challenge for ex-offenders.

Milwaukee Could Get State’s First Reentry Center For Those Leaving Prison

State-sponsored facility aims to be one-stop shop for resources.

Anti-Transgender Bill Would Change Where Inmates Are Held

Bill would require detention in facility that aligns with gender at birth. Gov. Evers promises veto.

Democrats Say Bills Would Create Better Standards For Jails, Prisons

17-bill package would establish minimum standards for living standards.

Wisconsin’s Prison Budget Among Largest In Nation

State's incarceration rate, particularly for Black males, also among highest nationally.

Finance Committee Approves Budget Amendment to Increase Correctional Officer Pay

Gov. Evers Proclaims October 17 “Rise Up for LGBTQ Youth Day”

County Corrections Staffing, Wages At Issue

Facilities understaffed. Sheriff says public safety not a priority in Crowley's budget.

Representative Shelia Stubbs, Member of the Legislative Council Study Committee on Increasing Offender Employment Opportunities, Testifies in Support of Assembly Bills 180, 181, 182, and 183

State Has Nation’s 2nd Highest Racial Disparity in Imprisonment

Report: Wisconsin's Black residents 11.8 times more likely than whites to be jailed.

Legislative Committee Okays $6 Million for 2nd Juvenile Facility

What would that mean for Milwaukee's youthful offenders?