ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — All three of Governor Tony Evers’ previous budget proposals were essentially re-written by the Republican-controlled legislature, but that might not be the case for his prisons plan, according to one local Republican lawmaker.
Evers recently introduced his $500 million plan to overhaul corrections facilities in the state.
It includes renovating and expanding several facilities, which would allow the maximum security prison in Allouez, Green Bay Correctional Institution, to close as early as spring of 2029.
Green Bay Correctional Institution was built in the 1800s and is Wisconsin’s second oldest prison.
“I’m hopeful we’ll do some tweaking,” said State Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard, when asked if Republicans would rewrite or tweak the proposal. “When you look at his proposal, you’ll see that it is very consistent with what the engineering firms have said as one of the options versus a new prison.”
A new prison is what Steffen and others have backed as part of their calls for Green Bay Correctional to be shut down. Steffen says that option is still on the table.
“Is that part of the governor’s plan? No, it is not, so there will be continued negotiations,” said Steffen. “The important part today is that there is agreement that it has to close.”
“Building a new prison as opposed to what the governor has proposed is going to cost at least half a billion and maybe more like three-quarters of a billion dollars,” said State Sen. Jamie Wall, D-Green Bay.
Like Republicans, Wall is optimistic both sides can reach a solution.
“There’s room for a win here if we can just get out of our own way and try to work together and be constructive,” said Wall.
One potential hangup is Evers’ desire to expand the existing Earned Release Program. It allows inmates convicted of nonviolent offenses to complete job training and/or substance use treatment programs within 48 months of completing their sentence.
Evers’ office has said the governor wants to beef up staffing to allow 2,500 more inmates access to the program over the next two years.
“If the eligibility remains the same and all it is, is increasing staffing to address a backlog, that will be an easier sell within our caucus,” said Steffen. “However, it’s still not an easy one.”
Steffen notes while Evers’ plan calls for Green Bay Correctional to close by 2029, there is possibility for that to be extended to 2031.
There have been bipartisan calls to close Green Bay Correctional Institution for well over a decade as the prison has dealt with overcrowding, alleged abuse, and restrictions for inmates.
In addition to closing Green Bay Correctional, the plan includes overhauling Waupun Correctional and calls to convert Stanley Correctional into a maximum security facility.
Gov. Evers will deliver his budget address Tuesday night at the state capitol beginning at 7 p.m. where Wisconsinites can expect to hear more on the correctional facility reform.
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