Walker Calls For Speeding Up Plan To Close Juvenile Prison

Gov. Scott Walker called on lawmakers Tuesday to quickly approve major changes to Wisconsin’s juvenile justice system, but the plan faces an uncertain future in the Legislature.

The governor wants lawmakers to approve a plan that would move youth inmates from the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake facility to five smaller, regional facilities located across the state.

“We’re dedicated to improving long-term outcomes for both juveniles and our staff working at these facilities,” Walker said in a prepared statement. “Both Republicans and Democrats collaborated on this plan and agreed it offers the best way forward.”

The plan would also expand treatment programs for young inmates with mental illness at the Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center in Madison.

When Walker initially introduced the idea, he said he wanted lawmakers to take it up next year. He now says he wants lawmakers to approve it by the end of this legislative session, which could be as early as March.

When asked about the plan Tuesday, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said Assembly Republicans support changing the system and it’s possible they could approve the plan this spring.

“If we’re able to do it by the end of the session, that would be our goal,” Vos said. “But I’m also not going to set that as a hard and fast deadline if we don’t have the plan that’s able to get through both chambers and both caucuses.”

Democrats have criticized the governor for calling for action now. They argue his call is too late and that he’s been indecisive about the need for change at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake.

Democratic Minority Leader Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh, argues the biggest challenge for correctional institutions in Wisconsin is a lack of workers.

“And simply moving the chairs around, or the facilities around, isn’t going to address that issue,” Hintz said. “And I think that’s one of the things that should be held on any plan that’s coming up here at the last minute for election reasons or whatever.”

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, and Vos are scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss Walker’s proposal.

Editor’s Note: This story was last updated at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, with original reporting from WPR.