PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
(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.
The Joint Finance Committee set aside the $15 million in the current state budget.
“It’s critical that the State Building Commission releases that $15 million, so we do not miss a step in getting that planning, design work, A&E of record, construction manager, all of these pieces in place,” Wisconsin Department of Corrections secretary Jared Hoy said.
Hoy said the sooner this money is released, the faster the more than 125-year-old Green Bay Correctional Institution will close.
Evers, a Democrat, unveiled his DOC plan earlier this year. His plan includes closing Green Bay Correctional Institution, revamping Waupun Correctional Institution, closing Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools and advancing 2017 Wisconsin Act 185 to utilize a regional approach to youth populations at smaller facilities.
The plan would also call for expanding Sanger B. Powers Correctional Center in Oneida by adding 200 minimum-security beds. All of these lead to one main goal.
“All of these things have to happen both in tandem and sequentially in order to get to a spot where we can ultimately revamp upon close Green Bay, which are obviously our most aging facilities,” Hoy said.
Hoy said shifting some of the non-violent inmates out of maximum security facilities like GBCI would save taxpayers money in the long run, as opposed to building a brand new prison.
Despite his stated desire to close GBCI, Evers vetoed a budget provision that would have set a closure date of 2029.
Republican State Rep. David Steffen of Howard is excited Evers wants to move this plan forward. While he has some disagreements with the proposal, Steffen calls it a good starting point.
“Let’s get the plans drafted, let’s get the floor designs done, and so this is all part of that. Ensuring that we are making good use of the time before the next budget cycle,” Steffen said.
On Tuesday, Steffen sent a letter to the State Building Commission asking to expedite the release of the $15 million. Steffen and fellow Republican State Rep. Ben Franklin of De Pere said there should be a deadline for the facility’s closure.
“If we put a Dec. 31, 2029 date into state law, we are now all bound by that and it means that we’ve got to start moving quickly to make decisions,” Steffen said.
In response to Evers calling for the release of the funds, Franklin put out a statement Tuesday that said he has met with Evers’ office and Department of Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy to continue advocate for closing GBCI. Franklin added, in part:
As we move forward, our focus must remain on ensuring this closure is carried out effectively, responsibly, and with the long-term interests of our communities in mind. The $15 million allocated is a meaningful step, but its release must be paired with transparency, careful planning, and a bipartisan commitment to results—not rhetoric.
This is not about politics—this is about people. It’s about ensuring public safety, improving the corrections system, and addressing the growing challenges posed by an outdated facility. It’s also about respecting the concerns of the residents, workers, and families directly impacted by this transition.
Hoy also wants to ensure that GBCI staff will still have opportunities to transfer and keep their jobs within the system.
The State Building Commission will take up the governor’s request to release the $15 million at its next meeting Oct. 28.
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