Shilling statement on Lincoln Hills
"I’m glad that we’re finally closing Lincoln Hills, but 2021 is still a long way off."
MILWAUKEE, WI – With today’s signing of legislation to close the state’s juvenile detention facility by 2021, Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement:
“For everyone who has worked to reform our juvenile justice facilities and address the disparities that exist in our entire corrections system, this day has been a long time coming. I’m glad that we’re finally closing Lincoln Hills, but 2021 is still a long way off.
“In addition to improving workplace conditions for frontline officers and staff at our correctional facilities, we must continue working to improve youth safety, address health and education needs and support these children in need over the next three years and beyond. These issues didn’t pop up overnight and they won’t be solved with the signing of one bill.
“At the end of the day, I can’t help but wonder whether we could have prevented years of juvenile abuse, assaults on staff, and costly taxpayer settlements had Gov. Walker not ignored this problem when he was first alerted in 2012.”
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
- Evers’ Prison Plan Receives Mixed Reviews - WPR Staff - Feb 21st, 2025
- ‘First of its Kind in Wisconsin’ Collaboration Will Support Disabled Incarcerated Youth - Andrew Kennard - Dec 12th, 2024
- MKE County: Tight Budget Forces Difficult Vote on Housing, Juvenile Justice - Graham Kilmer - Nov 1st, 2024
- Letters from Evers, Republicans Show Clash on Juvenile Corrections - Andrew Kennard - Aug 17th, 2024
- Following Counselor Death, Staff, Family Plead for Help At Lincoln Hills - Andrew Kennard - Aug 16th, 2024
- Lawmakers Grill Wisconsin Prison Officials Over Safety, Employee Death at Youth Facility - Sarah Lehr - Aug 7th, 2024
- 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
Read more about Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Facilities here
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