Wisconsin governor floats plan to close 19th century prison and overhaul corrections system

Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers proposed a plan to close the state’s second-oldest prison and overhaul the corrections system without building a new facility, addressing longstanding issues in the state’s prisons. Evers stated, “This plan is as good as plans get,” urging bipartisan support for the $500 million proposal.

The plan includes closing the Green Bay prison built in 1898 and converting the Waupun prison, built in 1851, from maximum security to a medium security center focused on vocational training.

Changes would occur over six years, allowing nonviolent offenders to participate in an earned release program, with no staff layoffs according to the Evers administration.