Chapter 301

301.18(2) (2) In addition to the exemptions under s. 13.48 (13), construction or establishment of facilities necessary to comply with sub. (1) or (1m) shall not be subject to the ordinances or regulations relating to zoning, including zoning under ch. 91, of the county and municipality in which the construction or establishment takes place.

301.18(3) (3) For compliance with this section, the department of corrections may expend moneys authorized under chapter 29, laws of 1977, section 1606c (1) (b) relating to the correctional system which have not been expended or encumbered or moneys available under residual existing general fund supported borrowing, not to exceed $1,500,000.

301.18(4) (4) Any purchase, lease or construction of additional correctional facilities is subject to prior approval by the building commission and the joint committee on finance.

301.18(5) (5) This section constitutes enumeration in the authorized state building program for purposes of s. 20.924.

301.18(6) (6) The building commission is encouraged and authorized to utilize the most economical and expeditious construction alternatives available to effectuate completion of the construction projects.

301.18 History History: 1989 a. 31, 122; 1991 a. 39; 1995 a. 27 ss. 6363h, 9126 (19); 1995 a. 416; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 103; 2007 a. 20 s. 9121 (6) (a); 2017 a. 59, 185.

301.18 Annotation A private company may build a private incarceration facility without enabling legislation, but it cannot be operated by a private company. A state purchase or lease must be within the state’s long range building program and approved by the joint finance committee. Out-of-state prisoners may be housed by the state, a county, or a municipality only as authorized per statute, which is currently limited to the Interstate Corrections Compact, s. 302.25. OAG 2-99.

301.19 301.19 Restrictions on construction or modifications of correctional facilities.

301.19(1) (1) In this section:

301.19(1)(a) (a) “Authorized jurisdiction” means a county, 2 counties acting jointly under s. 302.44, the United States, or a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state.

301.19(1)(b) (b) “Correctional facility” means an institution or facility, or a portion of an institution or facility, that is used to confine juveniles alleged or found to be delinquent or a prison, jail, house of correction, or lockup facility.

301.19(2) (2) No person may commence construction of a correctional facility or commence conversion of an existing building, structure, or facility into a correctional facility unless the building, structure, or facility is enumerated in the authorized state building program.

301.19(3) (3) Subsection (2) does not apply to any of the following:

301.19(3)(a) (a) A building, structure, or facility that is constructed or converted under a contract with and for use by an authorized jurisdiction.

301.19(3)(b) (b) A building, structure, or facility the construction of which was completed before January 1, 2001, if the building, structure, or facility was designed to confine persons convicted of a criminal offense.

301.19(4) (4) Unless the governor has declared a state of emergency under s. 323.10, the department may not expand the capacity of, or substantially modify the structure or physical security of, a juvenile correctional facility established under s. 301.16 (1w) without prior approval by the governing body of the city, village, or town in which the juvenile correctional facility is located.

301.19 History History: 2001 a. 16; 2005 a. 344; 2019 a. 8; 2021 a. 239.

301.205 301.205 Reimbursement to visiting families. The department may reimburse families visiting girls at a juvenile correctional facility. If the department decides to provide the reimbursement, the department shall establish criteria for the level of reimbursement, which shall include family income and size and other relevant factors.

301.205 History History: 1995 a. 27, 77; 1999 a. 9; 2005 a. 344.

301.21 301.21 Contracts for the transfer and confinement of Wisconsin prisoners in other states.

301.21(1m) (1m) 

301.21(1m)(a) (a) The department may enter into one or more contracts with another state or a political subdivision of another state for the transfer and confinement in that state of prisoners who have been committed to the custody of the department. Any such contract shall provide for all of the following:

301.21(1m)(a)1. 1. A termination date.

301.21(1m)(a)2. 2. Provisions concerning the costs of prisoner maintenance, extraordinary medical and dental expenses and any participation in or receipt by inmates of rehabilitative or correctional services, facilities, programs or treatment, including those costs not reasonably included as part of normal maintenance.

301.21(1m)(a)3. 3. Provisions concerning any participation in programs of inmate employment if any, the disposition or crediting of any payments received by inmates on account of employment, and the crediting of proceeds from or disposal of any products resulting from employment.

301.21(1m)(a)4. 4. Delivery and retaking of inmates.

301.21(1m)(a)5. 5. Waiver of extradition by Wisconsin and the state to which the prisoners are transferred.

301.21(1m)(a)6. 6. Retention of jurisdiction of the prisoners transferred by Wisconsin.

301.21(1m)(a)7. 7. Regular reporting procedures concerning Wisconsin prisoners by officials of the state or political subdivision with which the department is contracting.

301.21(1m)(a)8. 8. Provisions concerning procedures for probation, parole, extended supervision and discharge.

301.21(1m)(a)9. 9. The same standards of reasonable and humane care as the prisoners would receive in an appropriate Wisconsin institution.

301.21(1m)(a)10. 10. Any other matters as are necessary and appropriate to fix the obligations, responsibilities and rights of Wisconsin and the state or political subdivision with which the department is contracting.

301.21(1m)(b) (b) Inmates from Wisconsin state prisons while in an institution in another state are subject to all provisions of law and regulation concerning the confinement of persons committed for violations of the laws of that state, except as otherwise provided for by any contract entered into under this subsection.

301.21(1m)(c) (c) Any hearing to consider parole to which an inmate confined under this contract may be entitled by the laws of Wisconsin will be conducted by the Wisconsin parole commission under rules of the department.

301.21(1m)(d) (d) Sections 16.75 and 301.08 (2) do not apply to contracts entered into under this subsection.

301.21(1m)(e) (e) The provisions of this subsection are severable, as provided in s. 990.001 (11). The provisions of any contract entered into under this subsection are severable. If any provision of such a contract is invalid, or if the application of a provision of the contract to any person or circumstance is invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

301.21(2m) (2m) 

301.21(2m)(a) (a) The department may enter into one or more contracts with a private person for the transfer and confinement in another state of prisoners who have been committed to the custody of the department. Any such contract shall provide for all of the following:

301.21(2m)(a)1. 1. A termination date.

301.21(2m)(a)2. 2. Provisions concerning the costs of prisoner maintenance, extraordinary medical and dental expenses and any participation in or receipt by prisoners of rehabilitative or correctional services, facilities, programs or treatment, including those costs not reasonably included as part of normal maintenance.

301.21(2m)(a)3. 3. Provisions concerning any participation in programs of prisoner employment if any, the disposition or crediting of any payments received by prisoners on account of employment, and the crediting of proceeds from or disposal of any products resulting from employment.

301.21(2m)(a)4. 4. Delivery and retaking of prisoners.

301.21(2m)(a)5. 5. Regular reporting procedures concerning Wisconsin prisoners by the private person with which the department is contracting.

301.21(2m)(a)6. 6. Provisions concerning procedures for probation, parole, extended supervision and discharge.

301.21(2m)(a)7. 7. The same standards of reasonable and humane care as the prisoners would receive in an appropriate Wisconsin institution.

301.21(2m)(a)8. 8. Any other matters as are necessary and appropriate to fix the obligations, responsibilities and rights of Wisconsin and the private person with which the department is contracting.

301.21(2m)(b) (b) While in an institution in another state covered by a contract under this subsection, Wisconsin prisoners are subject to all provisions of law and regulation concerning the confinement of persons in that institution under the laws of that state.

301.21(2m)(c) (c) Any hearing to consider parole to which a prisoner confined under a contract under this subsection may be entitled by the laws of Wisconsin shall be conducted by the Wisconsin parole commission under rules of the department.

301.21(2m)(e) (e) The provisions of any contract entered into under this subsection are severable. If any provision of such a contract is invalid, or if the application of a provision of the contract to any person or circumstance is invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

301.21(6) (6) Contracts under this section are subject to approval under s. 302.26, except that for purposes of s. 302.26 this section constitutes legislative approval of contracts between the department and the state of Minnesota.

301.21 History History: 1981 c. 20; 1983 a. 27; 1989 a. 31 s. 965; Stats. 1989 s. 301.21; 1995 a. 344; 1997 a. 27, 283; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 38.

301.21 Annotation That this section does not, apart from the authority to contract for out-of-state placements, grant specific authority to transfer prisoners to out-of-state prisons does not mean that the Department of Corrections is without authority to so transfer prisoners without their consent. Prisoners do not have a constitutionally protected liberty interest in not being transferred from one prison to another. Evers v. Sullivan, 2000 WI App 144, 237 Wis. 2d 759, 615 N.W.2d 680, 00-0127.

301.21 Annotation The Department of Corrections has the authority under sub. (2m) to delegate to employees at a private correctional facility in another state the responsibility for conducting reviews and making recommendations on the security classifications and program assignments of Wisconsin prisoners incarcerated in that facility. State ex rel. Treat v. Puckett, 2002 WI App 58, 252 Wis. 2d 404, 643 N.W.2d 515, 00-2712.

301.21 Annotation The state is not required to use the extradition process whenever and wherever prisoners are transported through noncontracting states on their way to incarceration in a contracting state. State ex rel. Jones v. Smith, 2002 WI App 94, 253 Wis. 2d 712, 643 N.W.2d 548, 01-1673.

301.21 Annotation The reference to “provisions of law and regulation concerning the confinement of persons” in sub. (2m) (b) means the conditions of confinement and procedures used in the out-of-state institution. Sentence credit under the law of the state where the prison is located are not laws concerning confinement but are an element of that state’s sentencing system and do not apply to a prisoner serving a Wisconsin sentence. State ex rel. Griffin v. Litscher, 2003 WI App 60, 261 Wis. 2d 694, 659 N.W.2d 455, 02-1704.

301.21 Annotation Transferring inmates from Wisconsin prisons to out-of-state facilities does not violate state law. Lambert v. Sullivan, 35 F. Supp. 2d 1131 (1999).

301.21 Annotation A prisoner has no liberty interest in avoiding transfer to any prison, whether within or without the state. Berdine v. Sullivan, 161 F. Supp. 2d 972 (2001).

301.21 Annotation A Wisconsin prisoner’s income while imprisoned in an out-of-state institution is not subject to Department of Corrections rules, but instead is subject to the rules of the host state. Doty v. Doyle, 182 F. Supp. 2d 750 (2002).

301.235 301.235 Structures, facilities and permanent improvements.

301.235(1) (1) In this section unless the context requires otherwise:

301.235(1)(a) (a) “Existing building”, in relation to any conveyance, lease or sublease made under sub. (2) (a) 1., 2. and 3., means all detention, treatment, administrative, recreational, infirmary, hospital, vocational and academic buildings; all dormitories and cottages; all storage facilities, heating plants, sewage disposal plants, and such other buildings, structures, facilities and permanent improvements as in the judgment of the secretary are needed or useful for the purposes of the department, and all equipment therefor and all improvements and additions thereto which were erected, constructed or installed prior to making the conveyance, lease or sublease.

301.235(1)(b) (b) “New building”, in relation to any conveyance, lease or sublease made under sub. (2) (a) 1., 2. and 3., means all detention, treatment, administrative, recreational, infirmary, hospital, vocational and academic buildings; all dormitories and cottages; all storage facilities, heating plants, sewage disposal plants, and such other buildings, structures, facilities and permanent improvements as in the judgment of the secretary are needed or useful for the purposes of the department, and all equipment therefor and all improvements and additions thereto which are erected, constructed or installed after making the conveyance, lease or sublease.

301.235(1)(c) (c) “Nonprofit corporation” means a nonstock corporation organized under ch. 181 that is a nonprofit corporation, as defined in s. 181.0103 (17).

301.235(2) (2) The department shall have and may exercise the following powers and duties:

301.235(2)(a) (a) In order to provide new buildings and to enable the construction and financing thereof, to refinance indebtedness created by a nonprofit corporation for the purpose of providing a new building or buildings or additions or improvements thereto which are located on land owned by, or owned by the state and held for, the department or on lands of the institutions under the jurisdiction of the department or owned by the nonprofit corporation, or for any one or more of those purposes, but for no other purpose unless authorized by law, the department, subject to s. 16.848, has the following powers and duties:

301.235(2)(a)1. 1. Without limitation by reason of any other statute except ss. 13.48 (14) (am) and 16.848 (1), the power to sell and to convey title in fee simple to a nonprofit corporation any land and any existing buildings thereon owned by, or owned by the state and held for, the department or any of the institutions under the jurisdiction of the department for such consideration and upon such terms and conditions as in the judgment of the secretary are in the public interest.

301.235(2)(a)2. 2. The power to lease to a nonprofit corporation for a term or terms not exceeding 50 years each any land and any existing buildings thereon owned by, or owned by the state and held for, the department or any of the institutions under the jurisdiction of the department upon such terms and conditions as in the judgment of the secretary are in the public interest.

301.235(2)(a)3. 3. The power to lease or sublease from the nonprofit corporation, and to make available for public use, any such land and existing buildings conveyed or leased to the nonprofit corporation under subds. 1. and 2., and any new buildings erected upon the land or upon any other land owned by such nonprofit corporation, upon such terms, conditions and rentals, subject to available appropriations, as the secretary determines are in the public interest. With respect to any property conveyed to the nonprofit corporation under subd. 1., the lease from the nonprofit corporation may be subject or subordinated to one or more mortgages of the property granted by the nonprofit corporation.

301.235(2)(a)4. 4. The duty to submit the plans and specifications for all such new buildings and all conveyances, leases and subleases made under this section to the department of administration and the governor for written approval before they are finally adopted, executed and delivered.

301.235(2)(a)5. 5. The power to pledge and assign all or any part of the revenues derived from the operation of the new buildings as security for the payment of rentals due and to become due under any lease or sublease of the new buildings under subd. 3.

301.235(2)(a)6. 6. The power to covenant and agree in any lease or sublease of the new buildings made under subd. 3. to impose fees, rentals or other charges for the use and occupancy or other operation of the new buildings in an amount calculated to produce net revenues sufficient to pay the rentals due and to become due under the lease or sublease.

301.235(2)(a)7. 7. The power to apply all or any part of the revenues derived from the operation of existing buildings to the payment of rentals due and to become due under any lease or sublease made under subd. 3.

301.235(2)(a)8. 8. The power to pledge and assign all or any part of the revenues derived from the operation of existing buildings to the payment of rentals due and to become due under any lease or sublease made under subd. 3.

301.235(2)(a)9. 9. The power to covenant and agree in any lease or sublease made under subd. 3. to impose fees, rentals or other charges for the use and occupancy or other operation of existing buildings in an amount calculated to produce net revenues sufficient to pay the rentals due and to become due under the lease or sublease.

301.235(2)(a)10. 10. The power and duty, upon receipt of notice of any assignment by any such nonprofit corporation of any lease or sublease made under subd. 3., or of any of its rights under any such sublease, to recognize and give effect to the assignment, and to pay to the assignee thereof rentals or other payments then due or which may become due under any such lease or sublease which has been so assigned by the nonprofit corporation.

301.235(2)(b) (b) The state is liable for accrued rentals and for any other default under any lease or sublease made under par. (a) 3., and may be sued therefor on contract as in other contract actions under ch. 775, except that it is not necessary for the lessor under any such lease or sublease or any assignee of the lessor or any person or other legal entity proceeding on behalf of the lessor to file any claim with the legislature prior to the commencement of any such action.

301.235(2)(c) (c) Nothing in this section empowers the secretary or the department to incur any state debt.

301.235(2)(d) (d) All conveyances, leases and subleases made under this section shall be made, executed and delivered in the name of the department and shall be signed by the secretary and sealed with the seal of the department.

301.235(2)(e) (e) All laws, except ch. 150, conflicting with this section are, insofar as they conflict with this section and no further, superseded by this section.

301.235 History History: 1989 a. 31; 1997 a. 79; 2005 a. 25; 2013 a. 20.

301.24 301.24 Lands; condemnation, easements, leases, sales, purchases.

301.24(1) (1) Condemnation. When the department is authorized and desires to acquire land and is unable to agree with the owner upon the terms of purchase, or when agreement cannot be had without unreasonable delay, the department may condemn the land in the manner prescribed in ch. 32.

301.24(2) (2) Easements. The department may grant easements for the extension of municipal and public utilities onto the lands of the institutions under its jurisdiction, for the purpose of connecting railroads, roads, water systems, sewers, electric lines and similar facilities, to serve the institutions.

301.24(3) (3) Leases. The department may lease additional lands for the operation of the institutions under its jurisdiction.

301.24(4) (4) Sales. Except where a sale occurs under s. 13.48 (14) (am) or 16.848 (1), the department, with the approval of the building commission, may sell and convey such lands under the jurisdiction of the department as the secretary deems to be in excess of the present or future requirements of the department for either the operation of its facilities or programs, for the maintenance of buffer zones adjacent to its facilities or for other public purposes. The proceeds of the sales shall be credited to the state building trust fund.

301.24(4m) (4m) Correctional institution property disposition. In addition to any other requirements under this section, except where a sale occurs under s. 13.48 (14) (am) or 16.848 (1), the department may sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of the property acquired for the correctional institution under s. 46.05 (1o), 1985 stats., only if the sale, transfer or disposition is approved by the joint committee on finance. The department shall submit a plan for any such proposed transfer or disposition to the committee.

301.24(5) (5) Purchases. The department, with the approval of and release of state building trust funds by the building commission, may acquire by purchase such lands, together with such improvements as are situated thereon, as the secretary deems necessary for the department’s farm programs, or for the purpose of providing adequate buffer zones to its existing facilities, or for the purpose of eliminating flexuous boundaries in cooperation with owners of lands adjoining lands under the department’s jurisdiction.

301.24(6) (6) Lease of lands for radio range station. The department may lease state owned lands under its control situated in section 16, township 24 north, range 18 east, town of Seymour, Outagamie County, not exceeding 2 acres in extent, to the United States of America, to be used by the civil aeronautics administration for a radio range station. The terms of the lease shall be determined by the department and may grant to the lessee authority to erect navigational aids and other structures on such lands. Such lease shall not be effective unless approved by the governor in writing.

301.24 History History: 1989 a. 31 ss. 974, 975, 2569; 1989 a. 56 s. 84; 1995 a. 378; 2005 a. 25; 2013 a. 20.