The Stanley Correctional Institution had a packed house in attendance on Wednesday morning for its 20th Anniversary. Warden Chris Buesgen delivered a heartfelt speech detailing the individuals throughout the years who made the Stanley Correctional Institution the success it is today. Other speakers included, former Mayor Dave Jankoski, Andy Mayberry, Jim Gilbertson, and former Senator Dave Zien, to name a few. Throughout the years, the SCI has faced its share of troubles, from delayed openings, potential closure, state pushbacks and technical issues. Despite those struggles, it persevered and as the celebration proved, is a testament to the tenacity and resolve of those who worked hard to see it through. Warden Buesgen attributes its success to the right mind set of the Stanley Correctional Institution’s staff that have worked diligently throughout the years. Andy Mayberry, Prison HVAC Specialist from 2002 to 2015, remembers the initial struggles and challenges of the prison opening from blueprint inconsistencies, design flaws, old technology and heating issues. Mayberry also describes not having a kitchen area ready when inmates first arrived. He explained that the National Guard sent a field kitchen and for the first six weeks of the prison being opened, the meals were cooked outdoors in the field kitchen. “That was something,” he reminisces. Still, Mayberry attributes the success of the prison to the first Warden Dan Benik, Jim Gilbertson, and the inmates. He explained, “The inmates did a lot of work. In fact, they rebuilt the prison under our supervision. They did a lot to clean up that prison. They were so happy to be part of something rather than sit in a cell.”
Warden Chris Buesgen also mentioned the new health facility scheduled to begin construction later this year. The Wisconsin State Building Commission, chaired by Governor Tony Evers, announced in December 2022 that it approved approximately $253 million in key projects across the state. This included $16.5 million for a new health services unit at the Stanley Correctional Institution. The brand-new 24,848-square-foot building will cost approximately 14 million dollars and will allow for 24-hour service as opposed to the current 6,000-square-foot building. The new health building will provide dental, psychological, lab and other health services in desperate need for inmates. It will also create more job vacancies at a time when vacancies are already hard to fill. With staff shortages across the nation, the Stanley Correctional Institution is feeling the effects as well. The SCI has a vacancy rate of 49.4% and that’s a number that Warden Buesgen wants to improve. Discussing the challenges that SCI staff face from understaffing, Warden Buesgen describes, “We are hoping to get them relief.”
Attendees were served refreshments and prison tours were available. Various prison programs were on display highlighting the services available to inmates and the work they accomplish. From the Paws Program, the S.C.O.P.E.S. program, and the Bureau of Correctional Enterprises, the Stanley Correctional Institution provides inmates opportunities to develop skills needed to be successful when they return to the community.

For more information on job opportunities available at the Stanley Correctional Institution, contact DOCCareers@wisconsin.gov. Check back next week for our next series on the Stanley Correctional Institution’s Paws Program.