IRMA, WI (WSAU-WXPR) — A state lawmaker urges colleagues of both parties to consider prison reforms that could take pressure off the troubled Lincoln Hills juvenile facility at Irma.
Milwaukee Assembly Democrat Evan Goyke proposed bills to turn Lincoln Hills into an adult treatment center — move the juvenile Lincoln Hills inmates to up to ten smaller facilities around the state — cut parole revocations for rule violations that are not criminal — and bring back early release dates for prisoners who complete schooling and treatment programs.
Goyke details turning Lincoln Hills to an adult treatment facility.
“The largest numbers of new prison admissions are for repeat drunk drivers,” he said. “They need alcohol treatment. There is currently a waiting list in the adult prison system of 5,900 inmates waiting to get alcohol or other drug treatments.”
Goyke says the current male facility has more than 350 empty beds and the model to keep the facility open isn’t sustainable.
“That means it’s almost 70% vacant,” said Goyke. “Because of the way Lincoln Hills is funded, as the population goes down, so do the revenues to staff and operate the facility. So, it’s more expensive and that is an unsustainable model.”
Goyke says Wisconsin is close to having to send prisoners to other states, as 23-thousand inmates are being held in lockups designed to hold 16-thousand — and he says county jails are filling more of the gap. The Corrections Department says the new state budget includes money for a planning study and bonding for a new prison for older inmates.
Goyke is a former public defender.
