Wisconsin Prison Budget Proposal Sparks Debate Over Closing Oldest Facility and Reentry Centers

Wisconsin Republicans have included millions of dollars in overtime pay for prison staff and over $1 million annually to create and operate prisoner reentry centers in the state budget, but Democrats argue that it doesn't go far enough in addressing the need to close the state's oldest prison facility. Governor Tony Evers had proposed a plan to close the Green Bay Correctional Institution and convert the Waupun Correctional Institution into a "vocational village," but Republicans labeled it unrealistic and dangerous.

Key Takeaways:

• The Republican-led Joint Finance Committee adopted a budget proposal that includes overtime pay for prison staff and funding for prisoner reentry centers, but Democrats argue it doesn't address the need to close the Green Bay prison facility.
• The proposal falls short of the $9 million requested by Democrats for prisoner reentry centers.
• Governor Tony Evers had proposed a plan to close the Green Bay prison and convert the Waupun facility into a vocational village, but Republicans reject it as unrealistic and dangerous.
• Wisconsin spends more on corrections than its Midwest neighbors, according to a 2023 Wisconsin Policy Forum report.
• The state has a growing inmate population, with 23,374 inmates as of June 13, expected to reach 24,000 by 2027.
• Democrats argue that closing the Green Bay prison and building a new facility in Waupun would be more cost-effective and lead to improved outcomes.
• Waupun staff members report chronic understaffing, poor conditions, and a high number of inmate assaults against staff.
• An investigation by Wisconsin Watch and The New York Times found that inmates were confined to their cells for months and denied medical care in 2023.

Statistics:

• $1 million annually to create and operate prisoner reentry centers (Source: The Wisconsin State Journal)
• $9 million requested by Democrats for reentry centers (Source: The Wisconsin State Journal)
• 23,374 inmates as of June 13 (Source: The Wisconsin State Journal)
• 24,000 inmates expected by 2027 (Source: The Wisconsin State Journal)
• 17,638 capacity to house individuals at correctional institutions (Source: The Wisconsin State Journal)
• $500 million proposed for closing the Green Bay facility by 2029 and transforming Waupun into a medium-security prison (Source: Governor Tony Evers' proposal)

Sources:

• The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wis.)
• Wisconsin Policy Forum (2023 report)
• Wisconsin Watch and The New York Times (investigation)
• Governor Tony Evers' budget proposal