Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake Youth Prison. MWC photo by Chris Conley
IRMA, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – Governor Tony Evers signed a bill that will close the state’s only youth prison.
Wisconsin Act 252, allocating $40 million to build a new juvenile correction facility in Milwaukee, and closing Lincoln Hills School for Boys and the Copper Lake School for Girls in Irma.
“In order to become better citizens and have better lives, they have to be treated different than adults.” said Governor Tony Evers.
Evers said the approach to juvenile justice has to change, that it’s built on the adult criminal justice system. “It’s a different approach than it is for adults, and it’s a step in the right direction that took way too long but we’re getting there.” said Evers.
State officials said the move to Milwaukee County is a good one, as the majority of the kids housed there are from that area.
“If we have it closer to home and closer to the community that the individual grew up in and the individual lives, the idea is that this individual is gonna have interaction with family and friends.” said Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine).
A site for the Milwaukee facility hasn’t been picked yet.
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