Public Welfare Foundation

Activists protested outside the Wisconsin Department of Corrections headquarters over concerns about solitary confinement and inhumane prison conditions. The DOC disputed claims and highlighted rejected state budget proposals as a barrier to reform, while advocates called for reduced prison populations, improved living conditions, and independent oversight.

Noble Wray, a former Madison Police Chief, was appointed to Wisconsin's Commutation Advisory Board by Gov. Tony Evers. He supports commutations to promote rehabilitation and reentry, having previously served on the Pardon Advisory Board.

In 2025, the number of adults in Wisconsin prisons for drunk driving and other Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) offenses was four times higher than in 2000, according to a Wisconsin Policy Forum report. The report highlights racial disparities, with Black and American Indian/Alaska Native Wisconsinites overrepresented in OWI incarcerations, and notes increased incarceration for repeat offenses due to court backlogs and policy changes.

Flock Safety's license plate reading cameras face controversy in Wisconsin as communities like Dane County and Verona drop contracts due to privacy concerns. Misuse by officers, including tracking romantic partners, and activist opposition from groups like Milwaukee4Palestine highlight tensions between surveillance technology and civil liberties.

A former prison guard at Oshkosh Correctional Institution was sentenced to two years in prison for sexually assaulting an incarcerated man. The victim reported non-consensual acts in a cell and laundry room, with DNA evidence linking the guard to the assault. The case involved a plea deal and highlighted concerns about power dynamics in incarceration.

Wisconsin Republican legislators have requested Governor Tony Evers to suspend his commutation initiative, citing concerns over victim distress and public confidence in the justice system. Evers announced plans to process commutations after 25 years, creating advisory boards and specific eligibility criteria for applicants.