Chapter 303

303.068(4m)(b) (b) Before an inmate who is imprisoned for a violation of s. 940.01, 940.03, 940.05, 940.225 (1) or (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.06, 948.07, or 948.085 is released on leave under this section, the department shall make a reasonable attempt to notify all of the following persons, if they can be found, in accordance with par. (c) and after receiving a completed card under par. (d):

303.068(4m)(b)1. 1. The victim of the crime committed by the inmate or, if the victim died as a result of the crime, an adult member of the victim’s family or, if the victim is younger than 18 years old, the victim’s parent or legal guardian.

303.068(4m)(b)2. 2. Any witness who testified against the inmate in any court proceeding involving the offense.

303.068(4m)(c) (c) The department shall make a reasonable effort to send the notice, postmarked at least 7 days before an inmate is released on leave, to the last-known address of the persons under par. (b).

303.068(4m)(d) (d) The department shall design and prepare cards for any person specified in par. (b) to send to the department. The cards shall have space for any such person to provide his or her name and address, the name of the applicable inmate and any other information the department determines is necessary. The department shall provide the cards, without charge, to district attorneys. District attorneys shall provide the cards, without charge, to persons specified in par. (b). These persons may send completed cards to the department. All department records or portions of records that relate to mailing addresses of these persons are not subject to inspection or copying under s. 19.35 (1).

303.068(5) (5) The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section.

303.068 History History: 1977 c. 312; 1979 c. 154; 1983 a. 27; 1989 a. 31 s. 1687; Stats. 1989 s. 303.068; 1993 a. 479; 1997 a. 181; 2005 a. 130, 277.

303.068 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. DOC 326.01, Wis. adm. code.

303.069 303.069 Correctional institution enterprises; activities of inmates. The department shall record the source of all moneys received under s. 20.410 (1) (kc), crediting each amount received to the institution where the inmate activity occurred or to the department. The department shall allocate moneys under s. 20.410 (1) (kc) so that the allocation of each institution or the department does not exceed its credit.

303.069 History History: 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 437.

303.07 303.07 County reforestation camps.

303.07(1) (1) Any county may by ordinance designate any county forest project under s. 28.11 to be a county reforestation camp and provide facilities therein for keeping and maintaining prisoners and giving them employment not exceeding 8 hours each day, without compensation unless otherwise determined by the county board, in charge of a superintendent who shall have the powers and duties of a jailer.

303.07(2) (2) When convicted persons are subject to commitment to the county jail, or to the Wisconsin state prisons under s. 939.62 (1) (a) or 939.623 (2) (a) for a term not exceeding 2 years, the court may instead commit them for equivalent terms to a reforestation camp authorized under sub. (1).

303.07(3) (3) Each prisoner serving a sentence under this section who could have been sentenced to a state prison is subject to s. 302.11 (1), (1g), (1q) and (2). Each prisoner serving such a sentence may be transferred to a state prison upon recommendation of the superintendent and approval of the department. The county board may, pursuant to its regulations approved by the department, extend to all other prisoners similar pecuniary earnings and rewards, subject to similar conditions and limitations as those prescribed by s. 302.12 for prisoners in the Wisconsin state prisons.

303.07(5) (5) Any county may contract with an adjoining county having a county reforestation camp, upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon, for keeping, maintaining and employing without compensation unless otherwise provided by the contract, convicted persons subject to county jail sentence, and in that event such persons may be committed to such county reforestation camp in the adjoining county.

303.07(6) (6) Any officer who shall receive the commitment of any person to the county reforestation camp shall convey such person thereto as soon as practicable; and shall be entitled to compensation at the rate of 10 cents per mile for each mile actually traveled in such service, going and returning, and in addition 5 cents per mile for the transportation of each prisoner.

303.07(7) (7) If any inmate of a reforestation camp, in the performance of work in connection with the maintenance of the camp, is injured so as to be permanently incapacitated, or to have materially reduced earning power, the inmate may upon discharge be allowed and paid such compensation as the department of workforce development finds the inmate entitled to. The inmate shall be compensated on the same basis as if the injury had been covered by ch. 102, except that the total paid to any such inmate shall not exceed $1,000 and may be paid in installments. If the inmate is from an adjoining county such county shall pay such compensation. In case of dispute the procedure for hearing, award and appeal shall be as set forth in ss. 102.16 to 102.26.

303.07 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also LIRC, Wis. adm. code.

303.07(8) (8) Sections 302.31 to 302.42 insofar as they relate to persons committed and are not in conflict with this section shall apply to persons committed under this section.

303.07(9) (9) Inmates of a reforestation camp sentenced to the camp for less than one year or in lieu of a county jail sentence are subject to s. 302.43.

303.07 History History: 1971 c. 164 s. 85; 1973 c. 198; 1975 c. 147 s. 54; 1975 c. 199, 430; 1977 c. 29; 1977 c. 418 s. 924 (18) (e); 1983 a. 66, 528; 1985 a. 29 s. 3202 (23); 1989 a. 31 s. 1688; Stats. 1989 s. 303.07; 1993 a. 194; 1995 a. 27 s. 9130 (4); 1997 a. 3, 133; 2021 a. 76.

303.08 303.08 “Huber Law”; employment of county jail prisoners.

303.08(1) (1) Any person sentenced to a county jail for crime, nonpayment of a fine or forfeiture, or contempt of court or subject to a confinement sanction under s. 302.113 (8m) or 302.114 (8m) or a probationer detained in a county jail, tribal jail, or other county facility for a probation violation who meets the criteria under s. 302.335 (2j) may be granted the privilege of leaving the jail during necessary and reasonable hours for any of the following purposes:

303.08(1)(a) (a) Seeking employment or engaging in employment training.

303.08(1)(b) (b) Working at employment.

303.08(1)(bn) (bn) Performing community service work under s. 973.03.

303.08(1)(c) (c) Conducting any self-employed occupation including housekeeping and attending the needs of the person’s family.

303.08(1)(cn) (cn) Attending court proceedings to which the person is a party or for which the person has been subpoenaed as a witness.

303.08(1)(d) (d) Attendance at an educational institution.

303.08(1)(e) (e) Medical treatment.

303.08(1)(f) (f) Obtaining counseling or therapy from an approved public treatment facility, as defined in s. 51.45 (2) (c), an approved private treatment facility, as defined in s. 51.45 (2) (b), a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker, a professional counselor, as defined in s. 457.01 (7), or a certified independent or advanced practice social worker who is authorized to practice psychotherapy under subch. I of ch. 457.

303.08(1)(g) (g) Attending an assessment for the purpose of determining the person’s need for counseling or therapy under par. (f).

303.08(1)(h) (h) Attending a parenting education program.

303.08(1)(i) (i) Meeting with the person’s probation, extended supervision, or parole officer.

303.08(1m) (1m) If the sheriff of the county certifies that facilities are not available, the sentencing court may not order that persons committed for nonpayment of a forfeiture imposed for violation of a municipal or county ordinance be permitted to serve the commitment under this section.

303.08(2) (2) Unless such privilege is expressly granted by the court or, in the case of a person subject to a confinement sanction under s. 302.113 (8m) or 302.114 (8m), the department, the person is sentenced to ordinary confinement. A prisoner, other than a person subject to a confinement sanction under s. 302.113 (8m) or 302.114 (8m), may petition the court for such privilege at the time of sentence or thereafter, and in the discretion of the court may renew the prisoner’s petition. The court may withdraw the privilege at any time by order entered with or without notice.

303.08(2m) (2m) In those counties with a Huber facility under s. 303.09, the sheriff shall determine whether a person granted leave privileges under this section is to be confined in that facility or in the county jail. The sheriff may transfer persons granted leave privileges under this section between a Huber facility and the county jail.

303.08(3) (3) The sheriff shall endeavor to secure employment or employment training for unemployed prisoners under this section. If a prisoner is employed for wages or salary or receives unemployment insurance or employment training benefits while in custody in the jail, the sheriff shall collect the wages or salary or require the prisoner to turn over the wages, salary or benefits in full when received. The sheriff shall deposit the wages, salary or benefits in a trust checking account and shall keep a ledger showing the status of the account of each prisoner. Such wages or salary are not subject to garnishment in the hands of either the employer or the sheriff during the prisoner’s term, and shall be disbursed only as provided in this section; but for tax purposes they are income of the prisoner.

303.08(4) (4) Every prisoner who is gainfully employed or who receives unemployment insurance or employment training benefits while in custody in the jail, shall be liable for charges not to exceed the full per person maintenance and cost of the prisoner’s board in the jail as fixed by the county board after passage of an appropriate county ordinance. If necessarily absent from jail at a meal time the prisoner shall at the prisoner’s request be furnished with an adequate nourishing lunch to carry. The sheriff shall charge the prisoner’s account for such board. If the prisoner is gainfully self-employed the prisoner shall pay the sheriff for such board, in default of which the prisoner’s privilege under this section is automatically forfeited. If the jail food is furnished directly by the county, the sheriff shall account for and pay over such board payments to the county treasurer. The county board may, by ordinance, provide that the county furnish or pay for the transportation of prisoners employed or receiving training under this section to and from the place of employment or training.

303.08(5) (5) By order of the court or, for a person subject to a confinement sanction under s. 302.113 (8m) or 302.114 (8m), by order of the department, the wages, salary and unemployment insurance and employment training benefits received by prisoners shall be disbursed by the sheriff for the following purposes, in the order stated:

303.08(5)(b) (b) Necessary travel expense to and from work;

303.08(5)(c) (c) Court-ordered support of the prisoner’s dependents, if any;

303.08(5)(cg) (cg) The board of the prisoner;

303.08(5)(cr) (cr) Other incidental expenses of the prisoner;

303.08(5)(d) (d) Payment, either in full or ratably, of the prisoner’s obligations acknowledged by the prisoner in writing or which have been reduced to judgment;

303.08(5)(e) (e) The balance, if any, to the prisoner upon the prisoner’s discharge.

303.08(5m) (5m) A county may receive payments under sub. (5) (b), (cg) and (cr) or seek reimbursement under s. 302.372, but may not collect for the same expenses twice.

303.08(6) (6) The department, for a person subject to a confinement sanction under s. 302.113 (8m) or 302.114 (8m), or the sentencing court, by order, may authorize the sheriff to whom the prisoner is committed to arrange with another sheriff for the employment or employment training of the prisoner in the other’s county, and while so employed or trained to be in the other’s custody but in other respects to be and continue subject to the commitment.

303.08(7) (7) 

303.08(7)(a) (a) If the prisoner was convicted in a municipal court, the circuit court for the county has authority and jurisdiction to make all determinations and orders under this section and s. 302.43 as might otherwise be made by the sentencing court after the prisoner is received at the jail.

303.08(7)(b) (b) If the prisoner was convicted in a court in another county, the circuit court referred to in par. (a) may, at the request or with the concurrence of the committing court, make all determinations and orders under this section and s. 302.43 as might otherwise be made by the sentencing court after the prisoner is received at the jail.

303.08(8) (8) The county board of supervisors in a county with a single-county department or the county boards of supervisors in counties with a multicounty department may by resolution direct that functions of the sheriff under sub. (3) or (5), or both, be performed by the county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22; or, if the county board of supervisors in a county with a single-county department or the county boards of supervisors in counties with a multicounty department has not so directed, a court of record may order that the prisoner’s earnings be collected and disbursed by the clerk of court. The order shall remain in force until rescinded by the county board of supervisors in a county with a single-county department or the county boards of supervisors in counties with a multicounty department or the court, whichever made it.

303.08(9) (9) The county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22 shall at the request of the court investigate and report to the court the amount necessary for the support of the prisoner’s dependents.

303.08(10) (10) The sheriff may refuse to permit the prisoner to exercise the prisoner’s privilege to leave the jail as provided in sub. (1) for not to exceed 5 days for any breach of discipline or other violation of jail regulations.

303.08(10m) (10m) The sheriff may not permit a prisoner who is imprisoned for a violation of s. 346.63 (1), (2), (5) or (6) to leave the jail under sub. (1) if the prisoner fails to obtain the assessment or to comply with the driver safety plan ordered under s. 343.30 (1q) (c). This subsection does not apply if the prisoner does not have sufficient funds to make any payments necessary to obtain the assessment or to comply with the driver safety plan.

303.08(10r) (10r) The sheriff may not permit a prisoner whose operating privilege for the operation of “Class D” vehicles is restricted to operating vehicles that are equipped with an ignition interlock device under s. 343.301 (1g) to leave the jail under sub. (1) unless, within 2 weeks after the court issues an order under s. 343.301 (1g) (am) 1. or the person’s operating privilege is restricted under s. 343.301 (1g) (am) 2., the person submits proof to the sheriff that an ignition interlock device has been installed in each motor vehicle to which the order applies.

303.08(11) (11) In this section:

303.08(11)(a) (a) “Jail” includes a house of correction and, except for purposes of sub. (13), a Huber facility under s. 303.09.

303.08(11)(b) (b) “Sheriff” includes the superintendent of a house of correction.

303.08(12) (12) In counties having a house of correction, any person violating the privilege granted under sub. (1) may be transferred by the county jailer to the house of correction for the remainder of the term of the person’s sentence or, if applicable, the remainder of the person’s confinement sanction under s. 302.113 (8m) or 302.114 (8m).

303.08(13) (13) Any county board may contract with the department for the quartering in the county jail of inmates under s. 303.065.

303.08(14) (14) In counties having a population of 750,000 or more, a prisoner granted the privilege authorized under sub. (1) (a) to (d) or (f) to (i) shall be committed to the county jail or any other facility for the housing of prisoners as determined by ordinance by the county board.

303.08 History History: 1971 c. 92; 1975 c. 94; 1977 c. 126, 271, 449; 1981 c. 143; 1983 a. 254; 1985 a. 150, 176; 1989 a. 31 s. 1689; Stats. 1989 s. 303.08; 1989 a. 56 ss. 104, 105; 1989 a. 107 s. 153; 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 89; 1995 a. 281; 1997 a. 39; 1999 a. 9, 109; 2001 a. 109; 2003 a. 141; 2009 a. 100; 2015 a. 389; 2017 a. 199; 2017 a. 207 s. 5; 2023 a. 55.

303.08 Annotation Pursuant to sub. (1), a court may permit release from probation confinement for child visitation if the probationer establishes that he or she provides services qualifying as “housekeeping and attending the needs of the person’s family.” State v. Timmerman, 198 Wis. 2d 309, 542 N.W.2d 221 (Ct. App. 1995), 94-3374.

303.08 Annotation The decision of whether to grant the Huber privilege remains with the court even after sentencing and does not shift to the sheriff. Sheriffs have authority only to temporarily suspend the privilege under circumstances defined by the legislature. State ex rel. Coogan v. Michek, 2020 WI App 37, 392 Wis. 2d 885, 945 N.W.2d 752, 18-2350.

303.08 Annotation The cost of lodging may not be satisfied out of Huber earnings. 61 Atty. Gen. 292.

303.09 303.09 Huber facilities.

303.09(1) (1) The county board of any county may establish, relocate and maintain an unlocked facility for use exclusively by persons granted leave privileges under s. 303.08 (1) and persons confined under s. 973.09 (4) or 973.11 (1) (b). The facility need not be located at the county seat.

303.09(2) (2) The county boards of 2 or more counties may jointly establish, relocate and maintain a facility described in sub. (1). The operation and expenses of the facility shall be governed by an agreement between those counties. In a jointly established facility, authority under ss. 303.08 (2m), 973.09 (4) and 973.11 (1) (b) may be exercised by a sheriff of any of the counties which jointly establish the facility. The agreement shall specify who has authority to act under ss. 303.08 (2m), 973.09 and 973.11 (1) (b).

303.09 History History: 1983 a. 254; 1989 a. 31 s. 1690; Stats. 1989 s. 303.09; 1991 a. 253.

303.10 303.10 County work camp.

303.10(1) (1) 

303.10(1)(a) (a) Subject to par. (b), the county board of any county may provide a work camp for the reformation and employment of persons sentenced to the county jail. Any 2 or more counties may jointly provide one work camp.

303.10(1)(b) (b) Before establishing a work camp under par. (a), the county board or, if 2 or more counties want jointly to provide one work camp, the county boards of all of the counties providing the work camp shall agree with the sheriff who will administer the work camp concerning the staffing level of the work camp. If the county board or, if applicable, county boards and the sheriff do not reach an agreement concerning the staffing level of a work camp, the county board or, if applicable, county boards may not establish the work camp.

303.10(1g) (1g) If a county board establishes a work camp under sub. (1), the sheriff of the county or a person designated by that sheriff shall administer the work camp unless the county board provides otherwise. If 2 or more counties jointly provide for one work camp under sub. (1), the sheriff of the county in which the work camp is located, or a person designated by that sheriff, shall administer the work camp unless the county boards of the counties that jointly established the work camp provide otherwise by unanimous agreement.

303.10(1r) (1r) A work camp established under sub. (1) may be located within the house of correction of the county in which the work camp is located, if the county has a house of correction and if the work camp is operated as a separate unit from the house of correction.

303.10(2) (2) The sheriff may transfer persons between a county jail and a work camp.

303.10(3) (3) The sheriff may provide prisoners assigned to a work camp the opportunity, on a volunteer basis, to do any of the following:

303.10(3)(a) (a) Perform supervised work at paid employment in the community.

303.10(3)(c) (c) Perform supervised work on a project that serves the public interest or a charitable purpose and is operated by an organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under section 501 (c) (3) of the internal revenue code, but only if the work performed does not result in a competitive disadvantage to a for-profit enterprise.

303.10(4) (4) The sheriff shall not assign prisoners to work under sub. (3) on projects in a manner that results in the displacement of employed persons from their jobs or the replacement of workers on strike or locked out of work. Before prisoners assigned to work under sub. (3) begin work, the employer or other person in charge of a place of employment that is the site of the proposed work project shall post, at the locations where notices to employees are usually posted, a written notice informing employees that prisoners have been assigned under this section to work at the place of employment. If a collective bargaining agreement is in effect at a place of employment that is the site of a proposed work project under sub. (3) (c), that bargaining unit must agree to the assignment of prisoners at the place of employment before the assignment is made.

303.10(5) (5) Any intentional failure of a prisoner to report to or return from a work assignment is considered an escape under s. 946.42 (3) (a).

303.10(6) (6) Any prisoner employed under sub. (3) (a) shall reimburse the county for food, clothing and daily travel expenses to and from work for days worked. The county may collect moneys under sub. (8) or may seek reimbursement under s. 302.372, but may not collect for the same expenses twice.

303.10(7) (7) The sheriff shall collect the wages or salary of each prisoner employed under sub. (3) or require the prisoner to turn over the wages, salary or benefits in full when received. The sheriff shall deposit the wages, salary or benefits in a trust checking account and shall keep a ledger showing the status of the account of each prisoner. The wages or salary are not subject to garnishment in the hands of either the employer or the sheriff during the prisoner’s term, and shall be disbursed only as provided in this section; but for tax purposes they are income of the prisoner.

303.10(8) (8) The sheriff shall disburse wages, salary or benefits collected under sub. (7) using the priority order under s. 303.08 (5).

303.10(10) (10) An employer that employs a prisoner for work under this section shall pay the prisoner at a rate set by the county board by ordinance.

303.10(11) (11) 

303.10(11)(a) (a) Any officer, employee or agent of a county, employer or organization involved in the provision of any of the work camp options listed under sub. (3), and the county, employer and organization, are immune from civil liability for the death or injury of a prisoner caused by the good faith act or omission of the officer, employee or agent of the county, employer or organization related to carrying out any responsibilities under a work camp option.

303.10(11)(b) (b) The immunity under this subsection includes any good faith act or omission that occurs during the transportation of a prisoner to or from a work camp option listed under sub. (3).