Wisconsin State Prisons

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections manages the state prison system, which comprises various institutions, including maximum, medium, and minimum-security prisons. The system is designed to rehabilitate and secure individuals convicted of serious offenses, providing them with various programs aimed at reducing recidivism.

Incarceration Rate

Wisconsin has an incarceration rate of approximately 377 inmates per 100,000 people in the state. This rate reflects both the number of people held in state prisons and local jails. The state has faced criticism for high incarceration rates, particularly among minority populations.

Wisconsin State Prison System – Pros and Cons

PROS

• Educational and Vocational Training: Many facilities offer GED programs, college courses, and vocational training which can be beneficial for post-release employment opportunities.
• Rehabilitation Programs: Programs such as substance abuse treatment, anger management, and mental health services are available to help inmates address personal issues.

CONS

• Overcrowding: Some facilities experience overcrowding, which can lead to inadequate living conditions and limited access to programs.
• Limited Contact with Family: Depending on the location and security level of the facility, visiting hours can be restrictive, affecting family ties.
• Safety Concerns: Incidents of violence and abuse among inmates and sometimes staff can be a significant concern.

Most Violent Wisconsin Prisons

Determining the “most violent” prisons involves various factors such as the number of violent incidents reported, the severity of incidents, the criminal history of the inmate population, the types of inmates housed, and whether it’s a maximum-security prison.

The following three Wisconsin state facilities where violence is more prevalent:

Wisconsin Secure Program Facility – Boscobel

Security Level: Maximum

Often referred to as “Supermax,” this facility houses some of the state’s most difficult and dangerous offenders. Designed for solitary confinement, the intense restrictions and conditions can contribute to a tense environment. The facility is known for housing inmates in maximum security and solitary confinement conditions. It has been the subject of criticism and legal challenges due to its harsh conditions and the psychological impact on inmates.

Video: “The Torturous Supermax Prison – Wisconsin Secure Program Facility”

Waupun Correctional Institution –  Waupun

Security Level: Maximum

One of the oldest and most well-known prisons in Wisconsin, Waupun has a history of housing violent offenders and has been the site of various reports of assaults and other serious incidents among inmates and sometimes involving staff.

Green Bay Correctional Institution – Green Bay

Security Level: Maximum

This facility is known for its strict security measures and houses a significant number of inmates serving long sentences for serious crimes. The prison has faced issues with overcrowding and violence.

Recent Fox6 News Milwaukee Prison Story

Video: “Wisconsin prison inmate describes ongoing nightmare”

Factors That Contribute to Violence In Wisconsin State Prisons

Overcrowding: Many prisons struggle with space, leading to tension and aggression among inmates.

Gang Activity: Gang affiliations can lead to violent clashes within the inmate population.

Mental Health Issues: Limited access to adequate mental health care can exacerbate conditions that lead to violence.

Staffing Issues: Understaffing can lead to less control and slower responses to incidents, potentially increasing violence.

Wisconsin State Prison Reforms

The Wisconsin state prison system has implemented various reforms aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the correctional system. Some of these reforms include:

Alternatives to Incarceration: Wisconsin has expanded alternatives to incarceration, such as diversion programs, drug courts, and community-based supervision. These programs aim to address the underlying causes of criminal behavior and reduce recidivism rates.

Sentencing Reform: The state has made efforts to reform sentencing policies to ensure proportionality and fairness. This includes revising mandatory minimum sentences and offering sentence adjustments based on an individual’s risk level and needs.

Treatment and Rehabilitation: Wisconsin has focused on providing evidence-based treatment and rehabilitation programs to address substance abuse, mental health issues, and educational/vocational training. These programs aim to support successful reintegration into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

Solitary Confinement Reduction: There have been efforts to reduce the use of long-term solitary confinement in Wisconsin prisons, recognizing its potential negative effects on mental health and recidivism rates.

How To Locate A Wisconsin State Prisoner

To locate a prisoner within the Wisconsin state prison system, you can use the Wisconsin Department of Corrections’ Offender Locator tool, which is available on their official website.

The tool allows you to search for an inmate by their Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) number, their first and last name, or their date of birth. By entering the relevant information, you can obtain information about the inmate’s current location within the prison system.

It’s important to note that inmate location information is subject to change due to transfers or other factors, so it’s advisable to verify the information with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections or the specific correctional facility where the inmate is believed to be held. Contacting the Department of Corrections directly or visiting their official website will provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information on locating a prisoner in the Wisconsin state prison system.

Sources and Reports on Prison Violence

Wisconsin Department of Corrections

The DOC’s website often includes annual reports, safety, and incident statistics, and press releases that can provide insights into occurrences of violence, measures being taken to address them, and overall safety conditions within state-operated facilities.

Bureau of Justice Statistics

BJS provides a wealth of data on incarceration and prison conditions across the United States, including statistics on violence within prison systems.

Bureau of Justice Statistics

BJS collects and analyzes data on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government. Their reports include statistics on prison violence both at the state and national levels.

Office of Justice Programs

The Office of Justice Programs includes data on incidents within prisons, including violence.

Local News Articles On Prison Violence

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Articles on Wisconsin’s criminal justice system, including specific incidents of violence, legislative changes, and interviews with key stakeholders.

Wisconsin State Journal

Coverage of state prison issues, including editorials and investigative reports on violence within Wisconsin prisons.

WISCONSIN STATE PRISONS

Chippewa Valley Correctional Treatment Facility

2909 E. Park Ave.
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729

Telephone:
(715)-720-2850

Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
​Chippewa Valley Correctional Treatment Facility
2909 E. Park Ave.
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729

Columbia Correctional Institution

2925 Columbia Drive
Portage, WI 53901

Telephone:
(608)-742-9100

Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
​Columbia Correctional Institution
2925 Columbia Drive
P.O. Box 900
Portage, WI 53901

When sending a money order to an inmate use the following address:
Columbia Correctional Institution
Inmate’s Name, ID Number
P.O. Box 999
Portage, WI 53901

Dodge Correctional Institution

1 W. Lincoln St.
Waupun, WI 53963

Telephone:
(920)-324-5577

Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Dodge Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 700
Waupun, WI 53963-0700

When sending money orders or a cashier’s check to an inmate’s account use the following address:
Dodge Correctional Institution
Inmate’s Name, DOC Number
P.O. Box 800
Waupun, WI 53963

Fox Lake Correctional Institution
W10237 Lake Emily Road

Fox Lake, WI 53933

Telephone:
(920)-928-3151

Inmate Mailing Address:
Fox Lake Correctional Institution
Inmate Name, DOC Number (Housing Unit)
P.O. Box 200
Fox Lake, WI 53933-0200

When sending a money order to an inmate use the following address:
Fox Lake Correctional Institution
Inmate Name, DOC Number (Housing if known)
P.O. Box 600
Fox Lake, WI 53933-0600

Green Bay Correctional Institution

2833 Riverside Drive
Green Bay, WI 54307

Telephone:
(920)-432-4877

Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
​Green Bay Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 19033
Green Bay, WI 54307-9033

When sending a money order to an inmate’s account use:
Green Bay Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 10044
Green Bay, WI 54307-0044

Jackson Correctional Institution

N6500 Haipek Road
Black River Falls, WI 54615

Telephone: (715)-284-4550

Inmate Mailing Address:

Inmate Name, ID Number
​Jackson Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 233
Black River Falls, WI  54615-0233

When sending packages use the physical address with the inmate’s name and ID number.

When sending money orders to an inmate’s trust fund use the following address:
Inmate’s Name, ID Number
Jackson Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 116
Black River Falls, WI 54615-0116

Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution

W9071 Forest Drive
Plymouth, WI 53073

Telephone:
(920)-526-3244

Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
​Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 282
Plymouth, WI 53073-0282

When sending money to an inmate use the following address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 444
Plymouth, WI 53073-0444

Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility

1015 N. 10th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233

Telephone:
(414)-212-3535

Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, DOC Number
​Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility
P.O. Box 05911
Milwaukee, WI 53205-0911

Use the following address when sending money orders to an offender:
MSDF
Inmate Name, DOC Number
P.O. Box 05229
Milwaukee, WI 53205-0229

New Lisbon Correctional Institution

2000 Progress Road
New Lisbon, WI 53950

Telephone:
(608)-562-6400

Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, DOC Number
​New Lisbon Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 4000
New Lisbon, WI 53950

When sending funds to an inmate at New Lisbon Correctional Institution use the following address:
New Lisbon Correctional Institution
Inmate Name, DOC Number
P.O. Box 6000
New Lisbon, WI 53950

Oakhill Correctional Institution

5212 County Hwy. M
Oregon, WI 53575

Telephone:
(608)-835-3101

Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, ID Number
​Oakhill Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 140
Oregon, WI 53575-0140

Oshkosh Correctional Institution

1730 W. Snell Road
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Telephone:
(920)-231-4010

Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, DOC Number
​Oshkosh Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 3310
Oshkosh, WI 54903-3310

When sending money order to an inmate’s account use the following address:
Inmate Name, DOC Number
Oshkosh Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 3367
Oshkosh, WI 54903-3367

Praire du Chien Correctional Institution

500 E. Parrish St.
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821

Telephone:
(608)-326-7828

Inmate Mailing Address:
Praire du Chien Correctional Institution
Inmate Name, DOC Number
P.O. Box 9900
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821

When sending a money order to an offender’s account mail it to:
Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution
Attn: Inmate Accounts
Inmate Name and DOC Number
P.O. Box 6000
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821

Racine Correctional Institution

2019 Wisconsin St.
Sturtevant, WI 53177

Telephone:
(262)-886-3214

Inmate Mailing Address:
Racine Correctional Institution
Inmate name, DOC Number, Housing Unit
P.O. Box 900
Sturtevant, WI 53177-0900

When sending a money order to an inmate’s account use the following address:
Racine Correctional Institution
Inmate name, DOC Number, Housing Unit
P.O. Box 909
Sturtevant, WI 53177-0909

Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility

1501 Albert St.
Racine, WI 53404

Telephone:
(262)-638-1999

Inmate Mailing Address:
Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility
Inmate’s Name and DOC Number
(Housing Unit)
P.O. Box 2500
Racine, WI 53404-0002

When sending a money order to the inmate’s trust account use the following address:
Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility
Inmate’s Name and DOC Number
(Housing Unit & Cell Number)
P.O. Box 44398
Racine, WI 53404-7007

Redgranite Correctional Institution

1006 County Road EE
Redgranite, WI 54970

Telephone:
(920)-566-2600

Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, DOC Number
​Redgranite Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 925
Redgranite, WI 54970-0925

When sending a money order to an inmate use the following address:
Redgranite Correctional Institution
Inmate Name, DOC Number
P.O. Box 1000
Redgranite, WI 54970-1000

Stanley Correctional Institution

100 Corrections Drive
Stanley, WI 54768-6500

Telephone: (715)-644-2960

Inmate Mailing Address:

Stanley Correctional Institution
Inmate’s Name, DOC Number
100 Corrections Drive
Stanley, WI 54768-6500

When sending a money order to an inmate’s account use the following address:
Stanley Correctional Institution
Inmate’s Name, DOC Number
P.O. Box 235
Stanley, WI 54768-0235

Sturtevant Transitional Facility

9351 Rayne Road
Sturtevant, WI 53177

Telephone:
(262)-884-2410

Inmate Mailing Address:
Sturtevant Transitional Facility
Inmate’s name, DOC Number, Housing Unit
P.O. Box 903
Sturtevant, WI 53177-0903

To deposit funds to an inmate’s account you can mail a money order to:
Sturtevant Transitional Facility
Inmate name, DOC Number, Housing Unit
P.O. Box 909
Sturtevant, WI 53177-0909

Taycheedah Correctional Institution

751 County Road K
Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1947

Telephone:
(920)-929-3800

Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, DOC Number
Taycheedah Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 3100
Fond du Lac, WI 54936-3100

When sending funds to an inmate at Taycheedah Correctional use the following address:
Inmate Accounts
Taycheedah Correctional Institution
Inmate Name, DOC Number
P.O. Box 3000
Fond du Lac, WI 54936-3000

Waupun Correctional Institution

200 S. Madison St.
Waupun, WI 53963-0351

Telephone:
(920)-324-5571

Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate’s Name, DOC Number
​Waupun Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 351
Waupun, WI 53963-0351

When sending funds to an inmate use the following address:
Inmate’s Name, DOC Number
WCI Business Office
P.O. Box 247
Waupun, WI 53963-0247

Wisconsin Secure Program Facility

1101 Morrison Drive
Boscobel, WI 53805

Telephone:
(608)-375-5656

Inmate Mailing Address:
Inmate Name, DOC Number
​Wisconsin Secure Program Facility
P.O. Box 9900
Boscobel, WI 53805-9900

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