Governor Tony Evers admits lack of recent visits to state prisons amidst lockdown challenges

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has stated that he has not recently visited the state prisons under his watch, which have experienced at least three deaths in the past four months. The facilities have been on months-long lockdowns due to staffing shortages. Evers’ absence at the correctional facilities comes five years after he campaigned against former Governor Scott Walker, criticizing his refusal to visit prisons, including a troubled youth prison under federal investigation for inmate and staff abuses.

Evers clarified his position, saying, “I have not gone to the prisons recently. I’ve been to many of the correctional institutions over the years, but I’m in constant contact with the staff.” He also mentioned that Department of Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr visits Waupun’s prison daily. Evers emphasized that his administration is actively working on the situation, receiving daily updates from the Department of Corrections.

Although Evers’ spokeswoman Britt Cudaback confirmed that Evers has visited adult and juvenile prisons since taking office, she acknowledged that severe staffing shortages have made it difficult for him to visit the prisons currently under lockdown. However, Cudaback assured that the governor plans to visit the three facilities in the near future, while taking measures to minimize strain on staffing resources and disruption to the inmates.

The Green Bay, Stanley, and Waupun correctional facilities have been on lockdown, limiting inmates’ movements within the facilities. Waupun Correctional Institution, in particular, has experienced three inmate deaths in four months and has severely restricted inmate movement since March. The facility is also facing a significant vacancy rate among staff positions.

The lockdowns and limiting of inmate movements are preventive measures used in response to emergencies or disturbances, according to DOC spokesman Kevin Hoffman. He emphasized that removing these measures would jeopardize the safety of staff and inmates. However, Hoffman clarified that no facility is in a total lockdown, which would restrict all movement.

The staffing shortages in Wisconsin’s correctional facilities have become a significant concern. The percentage of vacant correctional officer and sergeant positions has increased from 10% in October 2017 to 32% this month, according to data from the DOC. Evers expressed his concerns about the deaths occurring during the lockdowns but stressed the need to ensure sufficient staffing levels.

During his first week in office, after defeating Walker in 2018, Evers toured the Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls, fulfilling a campaign promise to contrast himself with Walker. Evers has made the closure of the troubled youth prison a priority, with plans to replace it with a new facility in 2026.

Evers has also advocated for pay raises for prison staff to address recruitment and retention issues. The recent two-year state budget signed by Evers includes pay raises for state employees, including a minimum pay rate of $33 per hour for prison employees, as well as increased pay progression rates and incentives for vacant roles.

Advocates and family members of incarcerated individuals at Waupun’s prison have called on Evers and Carr to address the issues within the facility. However, Carr has declined recent interview requests. Stanley Correctional Institution has been on lockdown since the beginning of the year due to staffing shortages, while Green Bay Correctional Institution is also under lockdown, with inmates complaining of limited access to showers and outdoor spaces.

In conclusion, Governor Evers has acknowledged his absence from the troubled state prisons recently and cited staffing shortages as a challenge. However, he remains in constant contact with the staff and plans to visit the facilities in the near future. The ongoing lockdowns and limited inmate movements in the three prisons have been implemented as precautionary measures, while the staffing shortages continue to be a pressing issue.