Today State Representative Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) issued the following statement in response to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections announcement that they will be issuing a $5 per hour add-on to Correctional Officers and Sergeants at every prison with maximum security in the state, except for the Wisconsin Secure Program Facility in Boscobel.

“Less than three weeks ago, I toured our prisons in both Prairie du Chien and Boscobel with Gov. Evers’ Secretary-Designee Carr. We saw the fine work being done by our officers at both facilities and also spoke at length about the need to increase compensation for all DOC employees. 

I am beyond disappointed to learn that DOC has somehow come to the conclusion that it is a good idea to give every single maximum security prison in the state a $5 raise, but yet exclude Boscobel. Secretary Carr was in Boscobel with me. He saw the employees’ dedication and commitment first hand. 

The employees in Boscobel are dealing with the exact same prison population as these other maximum security institutions: murderers, rapists, gang members, drug dealers - the worst of the worst. To value their work as less than that of someone else who is doing the exact same job is reckless and irresponsible.  It certainly doesn’t seem equitable.      

The fact that Boscobel has a low turnover rate and a low vacancy rate should be rewarded- not punished.  The DOC employees I have spoken with in Boscobel feel slighted, abused, and undervalued. I don’t blame them. I look forward to DOC correcting this oversight immediately and would suggest any further action be more thoroughly vetted.”