Madison… Senator Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) authored legislation which helps our local law enforcement partners with investigative services at our state prisons and correctional institutions. Assembly Bill 569 passed the Senate and Assembly and now heads to the governor for his signature.
When a situation happens on state correctional facility grounds that is beyond the control of correctional security staff, the Department of Corrections (DOC) calls on local governments to provide first responder and criminal investigative services. Examples of incidents include death investigations, assaults or batteries on facility staff, certain rape situations or drug investigations.
Currently, DOC reimburses Dodge County and the Village of Allouez for these services, but there has been demand for similar reimbursements across the state.
“The Village of Redgranite, in the 14th Senate District, employs a total of about three full-time staff, including their police chief,” said Ballweg. “In the last five years, they have had to respond to the Redgranite Correctional Facility over 230 times. These calls take resources and officers away from the communities they are meant to serve.”
The Redgranite Correctional Facility is one of 36 total facilities that require local law enforcement to step in for certain investigative services. Expanding this program statewide will help support the critical relationship between the DOC and our local law enforcement agencies.
This legislation was authored with Representative Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca), who also represents the Redgranite area.
To reach Sen. Ballweg with questions or comments please call (608) 266-0751 or email Sen.Ballweg@legis.wi.gov. The 14th Senate District is located in Central Wisconsin, and is composed of parts of Adams, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Juneau, Marquette, Outagamie, Sauk, Waupaca, and Waushara counties.
