Wisconsin was the first state to let some incarcerated people work in the community, allowing them to save money and pay for room and board. Today, prisoners say there aren’t nearly enough of these jobs to go around, and prison officials say they don’t keep count.
Wisconsin Department of Corrections
Posted inCriminal justice
Wisconsin rarely grants compassionate release as aging, ailing prisoners stress systems
Increased use of compassionate release could ease costs and crowding with minimal risks to public safety, experts say. But it remains off limits to many prisoners.
Posted inCriminal justice
Camp Reunite helps kids connect with their incarcerated parents
A unique camp offers welcoming space for Wisconsin prisoners to spend time with their children, but stigma and other barriers limit its reach.
Posted inCriminal justice
‘Band-Aid on the problem’: Past raises haven’t fully solved Wisconsin prison staffing problems
Following initial progress, staffing vacancies are again rising in Wisconsin prisons. Improving training, safety and workplace culture would help retain officers, some say.
Posted inAsk Wisconsin Watch, Criminal justice
Does anyone actually get their record expunged in Wisconsin?
There aren’t official records on how many people have their crimes expunged, but one estimate puts it at 2,000 per year.
Posted inAsk Wisconsin Watch, Criminal justice
Why is Wisconsin’s prison system such a ‘mess,’ and what can be done to fix it?
Deteriorating prisons, truth-in-sentencing, Act 10: Reasons for problems abound, while solutions remain elusive.
Posted inCommunity, Criminal justice
Staff shortages create less support for people after incarceration
Some people fear that fewer officers will make it harder to stabilize people after incarceration.
Posted inCommunity, Criminal justice
A one-stop digital shop launches for people leaving incarceration
A new website, several years in the making, recently launched to help people who are returning from incarceration.
Posted inCommunity, Criminal justice
Diary of a returning citizen: Opportunities and challenges
Sunshine Ketchum has been zeroing in on her release from incarceration. While she has had some positive experiences since the last time NNS heard from her, challenges remain.
Posted inCommunity, Criminal justice
Virtual technology, real skills: Connecting people who are incarcerated to a new type of job training
A New York company wants to bring its state-of-the-art vocational training to people inside Wisconsin’s correctional facilities.