4 The Wisconsin State Prison System
As of 2019, there are 37 correctional institutions and centers throughout the state of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Correction uses three security levels for its institutions: maximum, medium, and minimum.
Maximum Security facilities have the highest level of security. These facilities may have fortified walls, double restrictive fencing, lethal stun fencing, towers, and perimeter vehicle patrols. Housing mostly consists of multiple and single occupant cells. Maximum security has the highest staff-to-resident ratio, and movement of students is closely supervised. Cell opening and closing is controlled by security staff. These facilities can house individuals of all security levels. Examples of maximum security facilities in which OBB operates are Green Bay Correctional Institution (GBCI) and Columbia Correctional Institution (CCI).
Medium Security facilities have perimeter fencing, motor vehicle patrol, and possibly towers. Housing mostly consists of multiple occupant cells along with secure barracks units, and each housing unit is locked at night. Most individuals are able to open and close their own cells, while others are controlled by staff. Security staff provide direct supervision over the persons in their care and sleeping areas. Movement is less restrictive than in a maximum security prison. Racine Correctional Institution (RCI) is a medium security facility in which OBB currently offers programming.
Minimum Security facilities have the least restrictive level of security. Housing consists of single, double, and multiple occupant cells along with secure barracks units. Individuals living in minimum-security facilities might have job placements with civilian employers or participate in community-based work assignments. There is more freedom of movement within these prisons, and these individuals may have more privileges and responsibilities than they would at a medium or maximum security facility. Individuals at minimum-security facilities are usually preparing for release from prison and generally aren’t housed at that facility for a long period of time. Oakhill Correctional (OCI) is a minimum security facility in which OBB currently offers programming.
The typical trajectory for an incarcerated person is to start in a higher-security setting and move to lower levels of security after demonstrating compliance with prison rules. Some students request to transfer from a lower security level facility to a higher-security prison in order to access certain educational or other opportunities there, but this is rare.
Note that security classification (maximum, medium, minimum) does not necessarily correspond to an individual’s crime of conviction. While we do not discuss or ask students about their crime of conviction in the classroom, students may share such information voluntarily. In our experience, our students have been convicted of a range of crimes, from very serious to more minor crimes. It is of utmost importance that we treat all students equally, regardless of their criminal history.
The complete list of correctional institutions and their respective fact sheets and annual reports can be accessed here. Information regarding institutional programming, which includes education, can be found here.
A list of glossary on prison jargon can be accessed here.