Corrections Budget

When it comes to corrections, one of the things that Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Legislature agree on is the need to reduce the number of inmates in our state prisons. However, there is disagreement on how we get there.

During his campaign, Gov. Evers vowed to slash Wisconsin’s prison population in half, which could potentially lead to violent criminals being released onto our streets and into our neighborhoods.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, the state is currently housing about 23,000 inmates and nearly 70 percent of them have committed a violent crime. The DOC considers violent offenses to include murder, rape, robbery, assault, extortion and hit-and-run with bodily injury. While as many as 30 percent have a drug charge on their record, it is the most serious charge in only 11 percent of cases.

If you do the math, if you release 50 percent of all inmates, at least 20 percent – or 4,600 – will be classified as violent criminals. While a 50 percent reduction may be a worthy long-term goal, it will clearly take years or decades to reach that number without releasing violent felons and currently there is no concrete plan in place.

Instead of playing the waiting game, the state Legislature introduced a criminal justice reform package earlier this year that aims to minimize our state's prison population without compromising our public safety.

Some of the items in that package include quicker access to a fair trial, numerous new assistant district attorney positions, expanded Treatment Alternatives and Diversion programs to help offenders who suffer from alcohol and drug issues, investments in the retention of correctional officers and promoting the successful transition of ex-offenders back into society through expanded worker training, reentry programs and health initiatives. The budget signed into law by the governor includes many of these initiatives.

Be that as it may, I am very disappointed in Gov. Evers' refusal to fund the replacement of the Green Bay Correctional Institution in the budget. This should have been one of the easiest decisions for the governor to make regarding the budget, which is why I'm so baffled that he vetoed this proposal. 

 First housing inmates in 1898, the Green Bay Correctional Institution has been labeled the “most dangerous place in Wisconsin.” It is a maximum-security prison which holds some of our most violent felons. A recent state-commission study found that the outdated facility has become too unsafe, crowded and expensive to operate. 

 The prison has enough space for 749 inmates, but it's currently about 45 percent above its listed capacity. Oftentimes two inmates have to stay in one 56-square-foot cell. Partly due to that overcrowding, about 20 percent of all assaults that are reported at Wisconsin's 19 adult prisons occur at the Green Bay Correctional Institution.

Furthermore, the structure's sewage, heating, water and electronic systems don't always work as intended. The kitchen also has difficulties feeding the 300 additional inmates that it wasn't designed to handle. 

Other known deficiencies include crumbling walls, cell-locking issues, antiquated security towers and a lack of fire sprinklers. Gov. Evers himself has called the conditions “inhumane.”

A different study has determined that "without wholesale replacement of critical functions like inmate housing and support services, the result will still be a facility that is functionally and operationally inefficient, and inconsistent with modern prison design standards."

A new, state-of-the-art prison in Northeast Wisconsin that is designed to hold 1,300 inmates is estimated to cost around $310 million. Improvements to the current facility would cost around $220 million just to reach existing standards, but the Green Bay Correctional Institution still wouldn't be able to meet its needs.

With a new prison, we would be better suited to provide educational opportunities and rehabilitation programs to the inmates to address the high rates of recidivism we see in our state. Plus, an updated facility will require less energy and staff, and with those savings, we would be able to pay off the new correctional institution in only six years.  

Sadly, until we make the commitment to build a new prison and follow through on those plans, we will continue to put the Green Bay correctional officers and inmates in harm's way. I don't know how anyone can consider that to be acceptable.  

150th Anniversary

Coinciding with National Lighthouse Day, I had the immense pleasure of presenting an Assembly citation to the Door County Maritime Museum on Wednesday to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the Cana Island Lighthouse in Baileys Harbor.

Constructed under the order of President Andrew Johnson in 1869, the unique Cana Island Lighthouse consists of a six-sided oil house that is the only hexagonal oil house at any light station in North America. The lighthouse’s tower also received the honor of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

As Door County’s most iconic and photographed lighthouse, the Cana Island structure is well-known for inspiring visitors from all over the country with its majestic beauty and stunning views. We are truly fortunate to have this impressive landmark as part of our community.

Earlier this summer, I also presented an Assembly citation to the Ridges Sanctuary to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Baileys Harbor Range Lights, which are the only lighthouses of this design that are still on range and functional as navigational aids.

When they were built in 1869, the Baileys Harbor Range Lights were considered to be a more effective way of keeping ships off the treacherous reefs and shallows at the entrance to the Door County town. The range lights were removed in 1969 but were reinstalled on June 11, 2015, and will stay lit permanently.

The Baileys Harbor Range Lights were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 and remain a great asset to our region.

If you know of a local person, milestone or event that you believe should be recognized with an Assembly citation, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. I really enjoy meeting with everyone and celebrating our district’s accomplishments.

I am pictured at Wednesday's celebration with Door County Maritime Museum Executive Director Kevin Osgood, left, and Board Vice President Terry Connelly

Hunting and Fishing News

I would like to bring to your attention that the state Department of Natural Resources has been receiving complaints about an online hunting and fishing license scam.

The DNR is aware of two websites that appear to sell fishing or hunting licenses, but after paying the requested fee, consumers are only given information on how to apply for a license. These sites are also collecting sensitive personal data as part of their unauthorized transactions.

 Please take extra precautions the next time you're looking to purchase a hunting or fishing license. For further details on how to protect yourself from this scam, please click here.   

In somewhat related news, the DNR is expanding the Adopt-a-Dumpster and Adopt-a-Kiosk programs this year to help prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease.

The DNR is now offering cost-sharing as an option for the Adopt-a-Dumpster program where volunteers can sponsor a dumpster during the deer season. The main goal of this initiative is to provide hunters with receptacles to properly dispose of their deer carcass waste, especially in areas where disposal options are limited or unavailable.

The appropriate disposal of deer carcass waste plays a significant factor in containing the spread of CWD.

The Adopt-a-Kiosk program is also being enhanced to make CWD sampling more convenient for hunters. 

The DNR supplies all kiosks with CWD sampling equipment and is asking participants to follow the guidelines associated with their level of involvement. The kiosks are set up as self-service, 24/7 options for dropping off your deer head to be tested for CWD.

Since we are discussing this topic, I also wanted to make sure you knew that bonus antlerless deer harvest authorizations will be available for purchase starting Monday, Aug. 19, at 10 a.m. Operation Deer Watch, an annual citizen-science survey that collects information on Wisconsin’s white-tailed deer, is also now underway.

Upcoming District Events

What: Annual Door County Classic & Wooden Boat Festival
Where: Door County Maritime Museum, 120 N. Madison St., Sturgeon Bay, WI
When: Saturday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Details: "The entire family can take in beautiful classic and wooden boats, enjoy watching the two person-team boat building/racing Sikaflex event and much more. Call or visit dcmm.org for more information."

What: Door County Festival of Fine Arts
Where: Waterfront Park, 10693 N. Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay, WI
When: Saturday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Details: "See artwork by local artists, watch art demonstrations, create your own art project and win artwork in a free drawing."

What: Shanty Days
Where: Downtown Algoma, Algoma, WI
When: Friday, Aug. 9, through Sunday, Aug. 11 
Details: "Shanty Days “Celebration of the Lake” is a three-day fun filled family festival that has become an Algoma tradition. The event features one of Wisconsin's largest parades, a car cruise and show, 150+ arts and crafts & street fair vendors, 5k walk/run, great food, and live music."