Phase 1 of transition at PdC Correctional Institute to be done by May/June
Prior to the announcement that the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institition would move from medium to minimum security classification, the facility already housed about 75 percent minimum custody. Now, though, a certain number of residents will be eligible for the work release employment program. (Photo by Correne Martin)
By Correne Martin
The Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution transition from medium to minimum security will be completed in phases, according to John Beard, director of communications, Wisconsin Department of Corrections office of public affairs. At the end of phase one, the facility will be officially classified as minimum security. This phase is projected to be finished by May or June.
PDCI will continue forward with the same number of staff positions and not lose any due to the changeover, Beard shared. Some adjustments are being made to duties within the current numbers to fit operational needs.
At the beginning of the year, the DOC’s Bureau of Classification and Movement started reviewing the population at the correctional institution and determining transfer locations for each inmate. One main goal was to provide the inmates, or residents, with continued participation in education and programming that met each of their needs.
About 75 percent of the PDCI population was already considered minimum custody when the process started, Beard said.
The COVID-19 pandemic slowed the process some, since precautions required transferring inmates to be quarantined prior to their transfer, he added. The only real expenses associated with the transition involved additional fleet vehicles for transportation.
Two phases remain to conclude the transition. Within phase two, work will include updates to emergency operations plans and facility procedures, staff training, and development of a work release program. The third phase will include contacts with employers interested in the work release program, implementation of work release for a maximum of 25 participants, and work to monitor and expand the program when appropriate.
When PDCI was designated medium security, DOC code restricted its ability to provide inmates the opportunity to participate in work release.
Instead, PDCI provided “meaningful work experience to select individuals classified as minimum or community custody through the establishment of project crews,” Beard said.
Facility-supervised project crews allowed for 1-12 minimum residents (or those participating in Alternatives to Revocation) to perform assignments outside the facility perimeter for agencies that the facility contracted with to provide a service. This was often for charitable services, Beard noted.
With the change to a minimum security facility, and the addition of a work release program, two DOC priorities are met: 1) community-based programs lead to a reduction in recidivism and better prepare the residents to enter the workforce; and 2) the number of individuals on the DOC’s work release wait list is lowered.
Through work release, the individual is granted the privilege to leave the confines of the correctional institution for employment, where the company itself provides oversight.
“We have had a couple of businesses reach out to the institution inquiring interest in participation within the work release program,” Beard stated. “We ask the community to be patient in the process. Work release and project crew community-based programs have been suspended under pandemic protocols. We look forward to continue to build/grow upon the existing relationships built when it is safe to do so.”
Ultimately, Beard said the institution is looking forward to the changes coming. They’re happy to educate the public about what is changing and how it may impact the community.
