Chapter 302

302.26 302.26 Corrections compact; contracts with other states; approval. The secretary is responsible for performing all functions necessary or incidental to carrying out the requirements of the interstate corrections compact under s. 302.25. The secretary may delegate and redelegate any of the functions as provided in s. 15.02 (4). If a contract under s. 301.21 or 302.25 involves the transfer of more than 10 prisoners in any fiscal year to any one state or to any one political subdivision of another state, the contract may be entered into only if it is approved by the legislature by law or by the joint committee on finance.

302.26 History History: 1981 c. 20; 1983 a. 27; 1989 a. 31 s. 1643; Stats. 1989 s. 302.26; 1995 a. 344.

302.27 302.27 Contracts for temporary housing for or detention of persons on probation or prisoners.

302.27(1) (1) The department may contract with a local unit of government, as defined in s. 16.957 (1) (k), for temporary housing or detention in county jails, county houses of correction, or tribal jails for persons placed on probation or sentenced to imprisonment in state prisons or to the intensive sanctions program. The rate under any such contract may not exceed $60 per person per day. Nothing in this subsection limits the authority of the department to place persons in jails under s. 301.048 (3) (a) 1.

302.27(2) (2) Inmates who are confined or detained under sub. (1) may be granted the privilege of leaving the facility during necessary and reasonable hours to engage in employment-related activities including seeking employment, engaging in employment training, working at employment, performing community service work, or attendance at an educational institution, or for any other activity designated in the contract under sub. (1). The sheriff, superintendent of the house of correction, or tribal chief of police, in conjunction with the department, shall determine inmate eligibility to participate in such activities and may terminate participation or return an inmate to state facilities, or both, at any time.

302.27 History History: 1983 a. 27; 1989 a. 31 s. 1644; Stats. 1989 s. 302.27; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 89, 437; 2013 a. 196; 2017 a. 89.

302.30 302.30 Definition of jail. In ss. 302.30 to 302.43, “jail” includes municipal prisons and rehabilitation facilities established under s. 59.53 (8) by whatever name they are known. In s. 302.37 (1) (a) and (3) (a), “jail” does not include lockup facilities. “Lockup facilities” means those facilities of a temporary place of detention at a police station which are used exclusively to hold persons under arrest until they can be brought before a court, and are not used to hold persons pending trial who have appeared in court or have been committed to imprisonment for nonpayment of fines or forfeitures. In s. 302.365, “jail” does not include rehabilitation facilities established under s. 59.53 (8).

302.30 History History: 1979 c. 34; 1987 a. 394; 1989 a. 31 s. 1645; Stats. 1989 s. 302.30; 1995 a. 201.

302.31 302.31 Use of jails. The county jail may be used for any of the following purposes:

302.31(1) (1) The detention of persons charged with crime and committed for trial.

302.31(1m) (1m) The detention of persons subject to confinement under s. 322.011.

302.31(2) (2) The detention of persons committed to secure their attendance as witnesses.

302.31(3) (3) To imprison persons committed pursuant to a sentence or held in custody by the sheriff for any cause authorized by law.

302.31(4) (4) The detention of persons sentenced to imprisonment in state penal institutions or a county house of correction, until they are removed to those institutions.

302.31(5) (5) The detention of persons participating in the intensive sanctions program.

302.31(6) (6) The temporary detention of persons in the custody of the department.

302.31(7) (7) The temporary placement of persons in the custody of the department, other than persons under 17 years of age, and persons who have attained the age of 17 years but have not attained the age of 25 years who are under the supervision of the department under s. 938.355 (4) and who have been taken into custody pending revocation of community supervision or aftercare supervision under s. 938.357 (5) (e).

302.31(8) (8) Under an agreement under s. 66.0303, the detention of persons detained or imprisoned before, during, or after trial by a county that borders on this state and is located in the state of Michigan. The agreement under s. 66.0303 for the detention of persons from another state shall take into account the provisions of this chapter regarding the detention of persons in county jails.

302.31(8m) (8m) Under an agreement under s. 66.0303, the detention of persons detained or imprisoned before, during, or after trial by a county that borders on this state. An agreement under this subsection may not provide for the detention of a person detained or imprisoned in a county jail by a county that borders on this state who has been sentenced to imprisonment in a state prison in that state. The agreement under s. 66.0303 for the detention of persons from another state shall take into account the provisions of this chapter regarding the detention of persons in county jails.

302.31(9) (9) Other detentions authorized by law.

302.31 History History: 1981 c. 20; 1989 a. 31 s. 1646; Stats. 1989 s. 302.31; 1989 a. 336; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16, 89, 385, 490; 1995 a. 27, 77; 2003 a. 81, 226, 326; 2007 a. 200; 2013 a. 334; 2015 a. 55.

302.31 Annotation The Department of Corrections has discretion to keep its detainees in a county jail, but sheriffs in their capacity as custodians of the jails have authority to refuse to keep department detainees if doing so will endanger jail safety. DOC v. Kliesmet, 211 Wis. 2d 254, 564 N.W.2d 742 (1997), 96-2292.

302.31 Annotation Out-of-state prisoners may be housed by the state, a county, or a municipality only as authorized by statute, which is currently limited to the Interstate Corrections Compact, s. 302.25. OAG 2-99.

302.315 302.315 Use of county house of correction. A county house of correction may be used for the detention of any person detained in the county jail but the person shall be separated, if feasible, from the inmates of the house of correction in a manner determined by the department.

302.315 History History: 1977 c. 126; 1989 a. 31 s. 1647; Stats. 1989 s. 302.315.

302.33 302.33 Maintenance of prisoners in county jail; state payments to counties and tribal governing bodies.

302.33(1) (1) The maintenance of persons who have been sentenced to the state penal institutions; persons in the custody of the department, except as provided in sub. (2) and ss. 301.048 (7), 302.113 (8m), and 302.114 (8m); persons accused of crime and committed for trial; persons committed for the nonpayment of fines and expenses; and persons sentenced to imprisonment therein, while in the county jail, shall be paid out of the county treasury. No claim may be allowed to any sheriff for keeping or boarding any person in the county jail unless the person was lawfully detained therein.

302.33(2) (2) 

302.33(2)(a) (a) The department shall pay for the maintenance of persons in its custody who are placed in the county jail or other county facility, or in a tribal jail under s. 302.445, pending disposition of parole, extended supervision or probation revocation proceedings subject to the following conditions:

302.33(2)(a)1. 1. The department shall make payments under this paragraph beginning when an offender is detained in a county jail or other county facility, or in a tribal jail under s. 302.445, pursuant only to a departmental hold and ending when the revocation process is completed and a final order of the department of corrections or the division of hearings and appeals in the department of administration has been entered.

302.33(2)(a)2. 2. The department shall not pay for persons who have pending criminal charges whether or not a departmental hold has been placed on the person. Payment for maintenance by the department is limited to confinements where an offender is held solely because of conduct which violates the offender’s supervision and which would not otherwise constitute a criminal offense.

302.33(2)(a)3. 3. After verification by the department, it shall reimburse the county or tribal governing body at a rate of $40 per person per day, subject to the conditions in subds. 1. and 2. Any amount not paid under s. 20.410 (1) (bn) shall be paid under s. 20.410 (1) (gf) using any amount remaining in that appropriation account after the department pays all costs incurred for probation, parole, and extended supervision. If the amounts provided under s. 20.410 (1) (bn) and (gf) for any fiscal year are insufficient to provide complete reimbursement at that rate, the department shall prorate the payments under this subdivision to counties or tribal governing bodies for that fiscal year. The department shall not reimburse a county or tribal governing body unless that county or tribal governing body informs the department of the amount of reimbursement to which it is entitled under this subsection no later than September 1 of the fiscal year following the fiscal year for which reimbursement is requested.

302.33(2)(b) (b) This subsection applies only to probationers, parolees or persons on extended supervision who were placed on that status in connection with a conviction for a felony. This subsection applies only to confinements initiated after July 2, 1983.

302.33(2)(c) (c) The department shall make payments under this subsection to the applicable county or tribal governing body on the basis of where the person is actually confined.

302.33 History History: 1983 a. 27; 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 27; 1989 a. 31 s. 1648; Stats. 1989 s. 302.33; 1989 a. 107, 122; 1991 a. 39, 269; 1993 a. 16, 48, 490; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 283; 2001 a. 109; 2015 a. 164.

302.335 302.335 Restrictions on detaining probationers, parolees and persons on extended supervision in county or tribal jail.

302.335(1) (1) In this section, “division” means the division of hearings and appeals in the department of administration.

302.335(2) (2) If a probationer, parolee or person on extended supervision is detained in a county jail or other county facility, or in a tribal jail under s. 302.445, pending disposition of probation, parole or extended supervision revocation proceedings, the following conditions apply:

302.335(2)(a) (a) The department shall begin a preliminary revocation hearing within 15 working days after the probationer, parolee or person on extended supervision is detained in the county jail, other county facility or the tribal jail. The department may extend, for cause, this deadline by not more than 5 additional working days upon written notice to the probationer, parolee or person on extended supervision and the sheriff, the tribal chief of police or other person in charge of the county facility. This paragraph does not apply under any of the following circumstances:

302.335(2)(a)1. 1. The probationer, parolee or person on extended supervision has waived, in writing, the right to a preliminary hearing.

302.335(2)(a)2. 2. The probationer, parolee or person on extended supervision has given and signed a written statement that admits the violation.

302.335(2)(a)3. 3. There has been a finding of probable cause in a felony criminal action and the probationer, parolee or person on extended supervision is bound over for trial for the same or similar conduct that is alleged to be a violation of supervision.

302.335(2)(a)4. 4. There has been an adjudication of guilt by a court for the same conduct that is alleged to be a violation of supervision.

302.335(2)(b) (b) The division shall begin a final revocation hearing within 50 calendar days after the person is detained in the county jail, other county facility or the tribal jail. The department may request the division to extend this deadline by not more than 10 additional calendar days, upon notice to the probationer, parolee or person on extended supervision, the sheriff, the tribal chief of police or other person in charge of the facility, and the division. The division may grant the request. This paragraph does not apply if the probationer, parolee or person on extended supervision has waived the right to a final revocation hearing.

302.335(2j) (2j) The department shall allow a probationer detained in a county jail, tribal jail, or county house of correction under this section to be considered for participation in a program under s. 303.08 (1) (a), (b), (bn), or (e) if the person was placed on probation for a misdemeanor and the probation violation for which he or she is confined is not a crime. The sheriff, tribal chief of police, or superintendent of the house of correction, in conjunction with the department, shall determine the probationer’s eligibility to participate in such programs and may terminate participation at any time.

302.335(3) (3) If there is a failure to begin a hearing within the time requirements under sub. (2), the sheriff, the tribal chief of police or other person in charge of a county facility shall notify the department at least 24 hours before releasing a probationer, parolee or person on extended supervision under this subsection.

302.335(4) (4) This section applies to probationers, parolees or persons on extended supervision who begin detainment in a county jail, other county facility or a tribal jail on or after July 1, 1990, except that this section does not apply to any probationer, parolee or person on extended supervision who is in the county jail, other facility or the tribal jail and serving a sentence.

302.335 History History: 1989 a. 121; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 48; 1997 a. 283; 2017 a. 199.

302.335 Annotation The sub. (2) (b) requirement that a hearing be held within 50 days of detention is directory, not mandatory. State ex rel. Jones v. Division of Hearings & Appeals, 195 Wis. 2d 669, 536 N.W.2d 213 (Ct. App. 1995), 94-3378.

302.336 302.336 County jail in populous counties.

302.336(1) (1) A county having a population of 750,000 or more shall provide, as part of its county jail, for the confinement of all persons arrested for violation of state laws or municipal ordinances or otherwise detained by police officers of a 1st class city located within the county. A contribution toward the construction and equipment of the county jail from a 1st class city accepted by a county having a population of 750,000 or more under an intergovernmental cooperation agreement under s. 66.0301 is made for a municipal purpose, and a 1st class city may borrow money under ch. 67, appropriate funds and levy taxes for that purpose.

302.336(2) (2) Prisoners confined in the county jail under sub. (1) are in the legal custody of the county sheriff or other keeper of the jail. The sheriff or other keeper is legally responsible for any such prisoner’s confinement; maintenance; care, including medical and hospital care; release prior to an initial appearance in court; and the initial appearance before the circuit court or the initial appearance before a municipal court at a location within the county jail.

302.336(3) (3) Except as provided in sub. (4) and ss. 302.33 (2) and 302.38, a county under sub. (1) is solely responsible for:

302.336(3)(a) (a) The costs of operating and maintaining the county jail and maintaining the prisoners in the county jail.

302.336(3)(b) (b) The costs of carrying out its legal responsibilities under sub. (2).

302.336(4) (4) An intergovernmental cooperation agreement under s. 66.0301 between a city and a county under sub. (1) may provide for the city to reimburse the county for its cost of custody at the initial appearance before a municipal court located within the county jail for prisoners who are in custody exclusively for violation of a municipal ordinance.

302.336 History History: 1989 a. 261; 1989 a. 359 s. 200; Stats. 1989 s. 302.336; 1995 a. 43; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2017 a. 207 s. 5.

302.34 302.34 Use of jail of another county. Courts, judges and officers of any county having no jail and no cooperative agreement under s. 302.44 may sentence, commit or deliver any person to the jail of any other county as if that jail existed in their own county. The sheriff of the other county shall receive and keep the prisoner in all respects as if committed from his or her county. The cost of the keep shall be paid by the county from which the prisoner was sentenced, committed or delivered.

302.34 History History: 1983 a. 110; 1989 a. 31 s. 1649; Stats. 1989 s. 302.34.

302.34 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See s. 973.03 (1) for similar provision.

302.35 302.35 Removal of prisoners in emergency. In an emergency and for the safety of prisoners in any jail, the sheriff or other keeper may remove them to a place of safety and there confine them so long as necessary. If any county jail is destroyed or is insecure for keeping prisoners, the sheriff may remove them to some other county jail, where they shall be received and kept as if committed thereto, but at the expense of the county from which they were removed. An endorsement on the commitment of a prisoner, made by the sheriff in charge of such prisoner, directed to the sheriff of another county, shall be authority for the latter to hold the prisoner.

302.35 History History: 1989 a. 31 s. 1650; Stats. 1989 s. 302.35.

302.36 302.36 Classification of prisoners. The sheriff, jailer, or keeper of a jail shall establish a prisoner classification system to determine prisoner housing assignments, how to supervise and provide services and programs to a prisoner, and what services and programs to provide a prisoner. The prisoner classification system shall be based on objective criteria, including a prisoner’s criminal offense record and gender, information relating to the current offense for which the prisoner is in jail, the prisoner’s history of behavior in jail, the prisoner’s medical and mental health condition, and any other factor the sheriff, jailer, or keeper of a jail considers necessary to provide for the protection of prisoners, staff, and the general public.

302.36 History History: 1977 c. 7; 1983 a. 185; 1989 a. 31 s. 1651; Stats. 1989 s. 302.36; 1995 a. 201; 2005 a. 295.

302.36 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DOC 311, Wis. adm. code.

302.36 Annotation This section does not require sheriffs to include any feature in the classification system that can or must be used to disregard court orders for Huber release. State ex rel. Coogan v. Michek, 2020 WI App 37, 392 Wis. 2d 885, 945 N.W.2d 752, 18-2350.

302.365 302.365 Jail and house of correction program standards.

302.365(1) (1) Standards. The department shall establish, by rule, program standards for jails and houses of correction. The standards shall require all of the following:

302.365(1)(a) (a) Policy and procedure manual. That the sheriff or other keeper of a jail or house of correction develop a written policy and procedure manual for the operation of the jail or house of correction which reflects the jail’s or house of correction’s physical characteristics, the number and types of prisoners in the jail or house of correction and the availability of outside resources to the jail or house of correction. The manual shall include all of the following:

302.365(1)(a)1. 1. Policies and procedures for screening prisoners for medical illnesses or disabilities, mental illnesses, developmental disabilities and alcohol or other drug abuse problems. The rules shall establish functional objectives for screening but may not require jails or houses of correction to use only one particular method to meet the objectives. The policies and procedures shall include the use of outside resources, such as county mental health staff or hospital resources, and shall include agreements with these resources, as appropriate, to ensure adequate services to prisoners identified as needing services.

302.365(1)(a)2. 2. Identification of the facilities and programs, including outside facilities and programs, that will be provided for long-term prisoners, including prisoners who are charged with a crime and detained prior to trial and prisoners who are sentenced to jail or a house of correction. The rules shall establish functional objectives for programs for these prisoners but may not require counties to use only one particular method of providing programs for these prisoners.

302.365(1)(a)3. 3. Policies and procedures for providing educational programming for prisoners under 18 years of age. The rules shall establish functional objectives for educational programming for those prisoners, but may not require jails or houses of correction to use only one particular method to meet the objectives.

302.365(1)(b) (b) Crisis intervention services. That the sheriff or other keeper of the jail or house of correction ensure that the jail or house of correction has available emergency services for crisis intervention for prisoners with medical illnesses or disabilities, mental illnesses, developmental disabilities or alcohol or other drug abuse problems.

302.365(2) (2) Approval of policy and procedure manual. The sheriff or other keeper of a jail or house of correction shall submit, no later than December 31, 1990, a policy and procedure manual developed under sub. (1) (a) to the department for approval, as provided by the department by rule. Thereafter, the sheriff or other keeper of a jail or house of correction shall submit any substantive changes to the manual to the department for approval, as provided by the department by rule. The department shall approve or disapprove the manual or any changes made in the manual, in writing, within 90 days after submission of the manual. If the department disapproves the manual or any changes to a manual, it shall include in the written disapproval a statement of the reasons for the disapproval. Within 60 days after disapproval, the sheriff or other keeper of the jail or house of correction shall modify the manual and resubmit it to the department for approval.

302.365(3) (3) Consultation in rule development. In developing rules under this section, the department shall consult with the department of justice.

302.365 History History: 1987 a. 394; 1989 a. 31 s. 1652; Stats. 1989 s. 302.365; 1989 a. 92; 1995 a. 352.

302.365 Note NOTE: 1987 Wis. Act 394, section 15, which created this section, contains explanatory notes.

302.37 302.37 Maintenance of jail and care of prisoners.

302.37(1) (1) 

302.37(1)(a) (a) The sheriff or other keeper of a jail shall constantly keep it clean and in a healthful condition and pay strict attention to the personal cleanliness of the prisoners and shall cause the clothing of each prisoner to be properly laundered. The sheriff or keeper shall furnish each prisoner with clean water, towels and bedding. The sheriff or keeper shall serve each prisoner 3 times daily with enough well-cooked, wholesome food. The county board shall prescribe an adequate diet for the prisoners in the county jail.

302.37(1)(b) (b) The keeper of a lockup facility shall constantly keep it clean and in a healthful condition and pay strict attention to the personal cleanliness of the prisoners. The keeper shall serve each prisoner with clean water, towels and food.

302.37(2) (2) Except as provided in s. 302.375 (2m), neither the sheriff or other keeper of any jail nor any other person shall give, sell or deliver to any prisoner for any cause whatever any alcohol beverages unless a physician certifies in writing that the health of the prisoner requires it, in which case the prisoner may be allowed the quantity prescribed.

302.37(3) (3) 

302.37(3)(a) (a) The county or municipality shall furnish its jail with necessary bedding, clothing, toilet facilities, light and heat for prisoners.

302.37(3)(b) (b) The owner of a lockup facility shall furnish toilet facilities, light and heat for prisoners.

302.37(4) (4) The sheriff or other keeper of a jail may use without compensation the labor of any prisoner sentenced to actual confinement in the county jail or, with the prisoner’s consent, any other prisoner in the maintaining of and the housekeeping of the jail, including the property on which it stands. Any prisoner who escapes while working on the grounds outside the jail enclosure shall be punished as provided in s. 946.42.

302.37 History History: 1979 c. 34; 1981 c. 79 s. 17; 1985 a. 167; 1989 a. 31 s. 1653; Stats. 1989 s. 302.37; 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 213; 2005 a. 67.

302.372 302.372 Prisoner reimbursement to a county.

302.372(1) (1) Definitions. In this section: