DOC Archives - WisPolitics

‘Ghost of Stanley’ haunts Green Bay-area prison proposal

Friday, Aug 18, 2017

Rep. David Steffen is spending part of his time fighting the “ghost of Stanley” as he pitches a bill that would let a private company build a new prison in the Green Bay area that the state would then lease and operate. Steffen, R-Green Bay, says he often gets questions about how his bill is different than the process Wisconsin took with the Stanley Correctional Institution. The state had to pump … Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options. Username

ACLU asks federal judge to halt ‘excessive’ use of solitary confinement

Wednesday, Apr 19, 2017

The ACLU today asked a federal judge to halt the state’s “excessive” use of solitary confinement, pepper spray and physical restraints at the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake youth prisons in northern Wisconsin. The motion for a preliminary judgment seeks to limit the use of all three to “rare and temporary responses to prevent imminent and serious physical harm to persons.” A Department of Correctio… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Dems introduce bill limiting solitary confinement for those with mental illness

Friday, Mar 31, 2017

Three Milwaukee Dems introduced a bill today that would limit the number of days a person with a serious mental illness could be placed solitary confinement. The bill, authored by Sen. LaTonya Johnson and Reps. David Crowley and David Bowen, would keep inmates with serious mental illnesses from solitary confinement for more than 10 days. Prisons would also be required to give a mental health evalu… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Dems criticize Corrections as Litscher testifies at JFC

Tuesday, Mar 28, 2017

JFC Dems today hammered at the Department of Corrections, though they credited Secretary Jon Litscher for making significant progress on several issues. Litscher highlighted some of those improvements, particularly in improving staff training, verbal de-escalation of incidents and boosting psychological offerings at its two main youth facilities: Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake. The two are undergoi… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Increased accountability hoped for through more body camera use in state’s prisons

Friday, Mar 17, 2017

Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to expand the use of body cameras in state prisons is drawing support from some of his critics, though they also say it’s not a perfect solution to preventing abuse. The state is already using body cameras for security staff at its two main juvenile facilities: Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake. But Walker’s budget proposal would bring them to Department of Corrections off… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Senate approves requiring juvenile correctional officers to report suspected child abuse

Tuesday, Mar 7, 2017

The state Senate voted today to add juvenile correctional officers to the list of professionals who must report suspected child abuse even as Dems said it was an inadequate step to address problems at youth prisons in northern Wisconsin. SB 35, approved via voice vote, was proposed following reports of mistreatment of juvenile offenders at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake. It requires juvenile correctional officers to report suspicions of child abuse they see in their professional duties. Those who fail to do so would be subject to criminal penalties. State Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, said it was only a first

Litscher says Corrections’ treatment of juvenile offenders has improved

Tuesday, Feb 21, 2017

Department of Corrections Secretary Jon Litscher told lawmakers today his agency has dramatically revamped its treatment of juvenile offenders, implementing a wide range of “changes that have not been written about.” Litscher, who led the agency between 1999 and 2003, was brought back last year amid media reports detailing examples of the prison staff mistreating juvenile offenders, including one … Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

‘UpFront’: Vukmir to seek audit of DOC’s offender supervision practices in Milwaukee Co.

Monday, Jan 30, 2017

Senate Assistant Majority Leader Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, said she would be seeking an audit of the Department of Corrections as part of a package of crime “victim-prevention” bills she is co-authoring with Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, R-New Berlin, and Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine. Vukmir appeared Sunday on “UpFront with Mike Gousha,” produced in partnership with WisPolitics.com. Vukmir said the lawmak… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.