Changes Needed at Lincoln Hills Now, Not After the Next Election
"I call on Governor Walker to protect Wisconsin youth currently at Lincoln Hills by immediately implementing these common-sense strategies."
MADISON – Senator Chris Larson issued the following statement regarding Governor Walker’s endorsement of Senate 651/Assembly Bill 791 – introduced by Senator Larson and Representative Goyke – which is a step towards addressing the problems with youth incarceration in Wisconsin.
“Governor Walker and legislative Republicans have left Wisconsin children in danger and ignored the serious and disturbing abuse happening at the Lincoln Hills School for Boys. Kids at these schools have suffered physical and sexual abuse at a facility run by Governor Walker’s Department of Corrections. Walker’s statement today comes more than six years after he was notified of extensive problems happening at Lincoln Hills, three years after a criminal investigation of the facility, six months after a federal judge put restrictions on how Lincoln Hills operates, and a month after federal prosecutors notified two former guards they could be charged with crimes.
“As an elected official that represents the Milwaukee area, it is alarming that the majority of the youth at Lincoln Hills – which is isolated in northcentral Wisconsin – are actually from over 200 miles away from the facility. With the air still filled with the holiday spirit, it is incomprehensible to know that many of these children may not have been able to see their family during a season meant to be spent with loved ones. For these reasons, Representative Goyke and I have introduced legislation that repurposes Lincoln Hills as an adult facility and calls for incarcerated youth to be placed in facilities closer to home instead. This approach has shown to produce better outcomes while saving taxpayer resources.
“While I am happy that the governor is fully endorsing our proposal by planning to incorporate our bill’s provisions into the 2019-21 state budget, I am disappointed that he is continuing to sit on his hands while our children remain in danger. Our kids deserve better and should not have to wait for the next governor and Legislature for this problem to be solved. I call on Governor Walker to protect Wisconsin youth currently at Lincoln Hills by immediately implementing these common-sense strategies.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Facilities
- Future of Lincoln Hills Remains In Limbo - Isiah Holmes - Apr 12th, 2024
- MKE County: County Youth In State Prisons Declining Again - Graham Kilmer - Jan 15th, 2024
- Legislative Committee Okays $6 Million for 2nd Juvenile Facility - Devin Blake - Oct 1st, 2023
- Some Progress, Still Problems at Lincoln Hills - Isiah Holmes - Jul 9th, 2023
- Plats and Parcels: Republicans Approve Gov. Evers’ Allocation of $32.6 Million More To Build Milwaukee Youth Prison - Jeramey Jannene - Jun 4th, 2023
- Milwaukee Youth Prison Costs Grow 71% - Jeramey Jannene - Mar 1st, 2023
- Eyes on Milwaukee: Council Approves New Youth Prison in Milwaukee - Jeramey Jannene - Jan 17th, 2023
- Eyes on Milwaukee: New Youth Prison Wins Key Endorsement - Jeramey Jannene - Jan 10th, 2023
- Eyes on Milwaukee: New Youth Prison Gains Plan Commission Approval - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 12th, 2022
- Problems, Staffing Shortages Still Plague Lincoln Hills - Isiah Holmes - Dec 10th, 2022
Read more about Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Facilities here
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