Stanley Correctional Institution could soon be getting an upgrade, following a proposal by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.
Part of a larger overhaul of the state’s prison system, the proposal calls to convert Stanley Correctional Institution to maximum security, with the ability to “flex” as a medium security institution. The total cost for the Stanley portion of the $325 million investment in the state prison system is $8.8 million. The upgrade of Stanley to maximum security would happen alongside the closing of Green Bay Correctional Institution in Spring 2029 at a cost of $6.3 million and transformation of Waupun Correctional at a cost of $245.3 million, Green Bay and Waupun both aging maximum security facilities built in the 1800s.The changes are meant to improve safety, lower recidivism, and support corrections staff, all while stabilizing the state’s skyrocketing prison population, currently at 23,074 statewide.
As for the details, the State Department of Corrections referred back to the Governor’s press release when asked for comment.
“I would refer you back to the Governor’s Office press release for comment,” DOC Director of Communications Beth Hardtke said Monday.
Per the press release, Ever’s proposal calls completing construction of the planned $130.7 million Dane County Type 1 facility for youth in order to close Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake schools (LHS/CLS) and converting the same facility to a 500-bed medium-custody institution for men at a cost of $9 million.
Stanley Correctional would come third in the list of capital improvement projects, followed with converting John Burke Correctional Center (JBCC) in Waupun to a female institution adding 300 women’s beds at no cost, and finish with expanding capacity at Sanger B. Powers Correctional Center (SPCC) in Hobart to increase bed space by 200 minimum-security beds and complete a $56.3 million kitchen remodel.
Governor Evers proposal to upgrade existing facilities as above is made as projections estimate that a brand new correctional institution in Wisconsin would cost $1.2 billion and take a decade to complete. Now in progress, the Governor’s 2025-27 Executive Budget calls for the following as well.
• Expansion of community-based options for the Alternatives to Revocation Program to the tune of $8.9 million over the budget cycle
• Contracting $1 million for community supervision regional recovery coaches to help address the high number of individuals on supervision with substance use recovery needs;
• Expanding community corrections supportive housing services beds at a cost of $3.1 million to support individuals experiencing hardships, such as housing instability or substance use recovery;
• Providing $10.7 million in increased funding for the cost of services for the Division of Community Corrections and Reentry Unit;
• Providing ongoing funding for mobile lab instruction at $2.5 million; and
• Adequately staffing DOC institutional-based job labs with 13 new full-time positions, to cost $1.9 million over the two year budget.
The 2025-27 budget items as proposed still await legislative action.
“My plan is the most cost-effective for taxpayers, it is the most efficient for alleviating the challenges facing our correctional institutions, and it is the safest option. This plan is as good as plans get,” Governor Evers said of what he deemed to be “evidence based” reforms that have been supported by Republican lawmakers in the past. “I am urging Republicans and Democrats to work together to get this plan—all of it—across the finish line in this next biennial budget so that we can finally make real, meaningful progress on reforms, just like what red, blue, and purple states across the nation have already had the good sense to pass. We have to get this done.”
Evers was echoed by DOC Secretary Jared Hoy.
“The dedicated corrections professionals serving Wisconsin need the support not only of our governor but of our Legislature and our communities. Meaningful corrections reform requires all of us to work together with partners in law enforcement, courts, and social services, among others,” Hoy said. “As with everything DOC does, safety is at the heart of these proposals. The upgrades to the facilities, reduced populations, and expanded programming will make our facilities safer not only for those we care for but for our staff working in these institutions.”
The city’s focus at present per the mayor will be learning more on Ever’s proposal while continuing to focus on the library.