ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Governor Tony Evers says changes are coming to prisons across Wisconsin to make them safer for staff and inmates.
He calls them “sweeping changes” which will tackle staffing shortages, reduce the use of restrictive housing, and improve the emergency response of staff members. Part of the plan would transition the Waupun Correctional Institution into single-cell housing.
But many think these changes are not enough.
“I’m glad that the Governor is finally acknowledging the seriousness of conditions at GBCI [Green Bay Correctional Institution], but anything but closure of GBCI is inadequate. Woefully inadequate,” said Allouez Village President Jim Rafter.
He admits that years ago, with his village landlocked, he pushed for the closure and relocation of GBCI, understanding what the property could mean for economic development. Rafter still thinks the land would be an asset to the community, but after learning more about the conditions inside the prison — it’s no longer just about the tax rolls.
“It is not a safe place for people to be incarcerated. It is not a safe place for staff to work there, as evidenced by the lack of staffing,” Rafter said.
Gov. Evers’s proposal addresses staffing and touts the increase in pay for corrections officers, which State Representative David Steffen, who represents Allouez, believes is a good thing — and it’s working.
But he also says the governor’s proposal to add more staff to prisons, like GBCI, is not a long-term solution to a problem that is about so much more.
According to Steffen, “The reality is we will continue to suffer staff shortages. We need to move to facilities that rely on technology and design so that we can operate with 40% less staff. That’s really the only way we can make this work.”
With no clear path of how the Wisconsin Department of Corrections will implement these changes, and the majority of the Governor’s focus on Waupun Correctional Institution, those advocating for more to be done at GBCI are left wondering: what’s next?
“The acknowledgement is great, but how about we have a conversation about intent — what’s going to happen. How about if Governor Evers comes here? He hasn’t been to GBCI, as far as we know. I think that would be a great conversation,” said Sara Williams with JOSHUA.
It’s unclear, based on the news release issued by the governor’s office, when these new measures will be implemented.
