Green Bay Correctional Institution (Fox 11 Online)
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Gov. Tony Evers is asking the State Building Commission to release $15 million in order to move forward with the administration’s plans to revamp correctional facilities across the state.
Evers says the money, included in the 2025-27 state budget, would allow for work across correctional institutions to begin, including toward closing Green Bay Correctional Institution and Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools.
“Wisconsin is already years behind in modernizing corrections and reforming our justice system like so many red and blue states have, so it’s critically important that we begin work on projects to modernize DOC facilities without any further delay. We worked hard to put together a pragmatic, commonsense approach to modernizing our correctional institutions that will save taxpayers in the long run and improve public safety, and I’m proud our administration is continuing to move forward with this important plan,” Evers said in a news release. “I’m calling for bipartisan support and urging Republican lawmakers on the State Building Commission to join me by voting to ensure this investment is released.”
Green Bay Correctional Institution is Wisconsin’s second-oldest prison. It has received heavy criticism for its poor conditions and many have called for the facility to be closed.
Evers, a Democrat, unveiled his DOC plan earlier this year. His plan includes closing Green Bay Correctional Institution, revamping Waupun Correctional Institution and close Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools and advance 2017 Wisconsin Act 185 to utilize a regional approach to youth populations at smaller facilities, among other key projects. The final 2025-27 state budget included $15 million to begin planning efforts and some initial work on several DOC capital projects.
Despite his stated desire to close GBCI, Evers vetoed a budget provision that would have set a closure date of 2029. Republican State Reps. David Steffen of Howard and Ben Franklin of De Pere say there should be a deadline for the facility’s closure.
The State Building Commission will take up the governor’s request to release the $15 million at its next meeting on Oct. 28.
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