New Youth Prison is Not the Answer

We can help youth and prevent crime by pursuing alternative strategies.

Problems Persist at Lincoln Hills, Copper Lake

Juvenile prisons have lower population but still badly understaffed, with safety concerns.

Evers Signs Legislation Funding Lincoln Hills Replacement

New state-run facility is first step in neglected juvenile corrections reform.

New Youth Detention Facility Clears State Budget Committee

$42 million for a state facility to replace Lincoln Hills passes Joint Finance Committee.

Assembly Approves Funds for Lincoln Hills Replacement

Troubled youth prison was supposed to be closed by now.

Senate Votes 33-0 To Fund Youth Prison

Also passes bills to restrict teaching race, limit safety net, allow higher bail.

Will Lincoln Hills Youth Prison Finally Close?

And at what cost? Legislature debates the issue anew.

Warning Lights Flashing on Youth Justice?

Former county official warns that state's youth justice system is unsustainable, could lead to abuses.

Still No Facility To Replace State’s Youth Prisons

Two deadlines to close the prisons have been missed, and plans for new facility have stalled.

County Wants Zero Youth in State Juvenile Prisons

Milwaukee County is attempting to have zero Milwaukee youth in state facilities by the end of 2021.

Report Finds Improvements in Youth Prisons

Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake School report finds 36% reduction in use of force.

New Therapy Used at Lincoln Hills

Officials cite progress at youth prison, but reformers say it should be closed.

Evers Proposes $45.8 Million for Milwaukee Juvenile Facility

County looks to build local facility, stop sending juveniles to Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake.

County Has Just 22 Inmates in Youth Prisons

Great progress on reducing number of Milwaukee youths in Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake.

Evers Pushes Juvenile Justice System Changes

Sweeping reforms would close youth prisons and end Serious Juvenile Offender Program.

Youth Justice Milwaukee Calls for Transformation of the Wisconsin Youth Justice System as the State Acknowledges it Will Not Meet the July 2021 Deadline to Close Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Prisons

Pandemic Causes Youth Prison Problems

New report finds switch to virtual education and other changes taking a toll on youth, staff at Lincoln Hills, Copper Lake.

Can State Rescue Youth Corrections Plan?

Rep. Evan Goyke thinks the failure of the state's plan can lead to creative reforms.

State Can’t Meet Deadline to Close Youth Prisons

Plan to close Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake and relocate youth now up in the air.

Crowley Defers Youth Corrections Grant Until State Has Sustainable Plan

County wants the state to assure enough funding to build and maintain a new facility.

State Blows Up County Youth Corrections Plan

Milwaukee County plan brutally slashed while three other counties get what they requested.

Youth Advocates Remain Committed to Closing Wisconsin Youth Prisons Following Monitor’s Report

Milwaukee County Wants Alternatives to Youth Incarceration

After the legislature failed to fund new facilities, Milwaukee County continues to explore alternatives to locking kids up.

Wisconsin is at a Turning Point in Youth Justice

GOP Underfunds Youth Corrections Plan

Republican legislators only approved funding for four out of six new youth corrections facilities.

Will Lincoln Hills Ever Be Closed?

Republicans refuse to meet and vote on amount of funding for replacement facilities.

New York’s After Care Program Helps Youth

Mentors youth offenders after they finish placement in community facilities. Last in a series.

Youth Corrections Proposal Sent To State

Unlike Lincoln Hllls, proposed center emphasizes treatment and programming, not punishment.

Building Trust Can Help Juvenile Offenders

How Milwaukee can learn from juvenile offender programs in NYC. Second in series.

How New York Handles Juvenile Justice

"Close to Home" program could provide model for Wisconsin. First in a series.