Communications Office

Email Address: DOCmedia@wisconsin.gov

If you are not a member of the media, please call (608) 240-5000 or contact DOC for assistance.

Public records requests can be submitted directly into the public records request portal or sent to DOCmedia@wisconsin.gov.

Accredited media can email DOCmedia@wisconsin.gov to be added to our media contact list.

Interviewing Persons in our Care (PIOCs) 

To request that the Department facilitate an interview with a person in our care (PIOC), please email DOCmedia@wisconsin.gov and include at least the following information:

• Full name and DOC number of the PIOC as noted in DOC's Inmate and Offender Search;

• Your name, contact information (including phone number and email address), and organization; and

• Any information regarding the interview you would like us to consider.

Each request is reviewed in line with state law and Department policies. Once a decision has been reached, we will advise you whether the DOC is able to facilitate your request. Typically, we are able to provide a response within one calendar week, however some requests may require additional time.

Resources for Media

Opportunities and Options Resource Guide: Provides information on community service projects, primary treatment programs, vocational programs, education programs, and correctional industries at DOC facilities.

DOC's Data and Research Unit produces information in a number of areas, including recidivism and reincarceration and weekly population reports, as well as interactive dashboards on prison admissions, prison population, prison releases, and recidivism.

Press Releases

2024

December 13: NLCI, UW-La Crosse Initiative Supports Parents in Prison

November 26: 21st Monitor Report Finds Atmosphere Improved at LHS/CLS

November 11: DOC Students Recognized for Academic Achievement 

October 17: DOC Agents, Law Enforcement Team Up for Trick-or-Treat

October 10: Stanley Correctional Builds Beds for 'Sleep in Heavenly Peace'

October 3: First Job Lab in Probation and Parole Office Opens

August 28: 20th Monitor Report Shows Progress at LHS, CLS

July 22: Progress Report: Green Bay Correctional Institution Resumes Normal Operations

June 26: Lincoln Hills Youth Counselor Dies After Assault

June 25: Two Staff Members Injured at Lincoln Hills School

June 5: DOC Statement from Secretary Hoy Regarding Dodge County Sheriff Announcement

June 3: Progress Report on Changes at Wisconsin's Correctional Institutions

May 31: Grants Give 95 New Grads Second Chance

April 5: Classes Resume at WCI Education Building as DOC Graduates Largest Class to Date

April 5: Latest Report Highlights Progress at LHS, CLS

March 1: Secretary Kevin A. Carr Announces Retirement from DOC

February 21: DOC Celebrates 214 New Correctional Officers at Graduation

January 31: DOC Continues to Increase Movement at Waupun, Green Bay Facilities

2023

December 15: DOC Celebrates Security Staff Graduates at Madison College

November 1: Monitor Report Identifies Continued Progress at Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake

July 20: Fond du Lac Police Investigating Death at Taycheedah Correctional Institution

July 5: Monitor Report Identifies Continued Progress at Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake

March 8: Monitor Notes "Significant Progress" at Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake

February 23: Assisted Needs Unit Opens at Oakhill Correctional Institution

2022

December 6: Wisconsin DOC Launches Behavioral Motivation System at Juvenile Facilities

September 9: Staff, Youth Positive Despite Staffing Situation at Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake

September 9: DOC Show Off New Addition to Waupun Farm Facility

August 15: Men at Oakhill Correctional Institution Honored for Educational Achievements

August 1: Collaboration Helps Men Prepare to Rejoin State Workforce

August 1: New Entrance Procedures at DOC's Secure Facilities

June 29: Opportunity and Hard Work Lead to Big Day for Nine Men

June 23: Helping an Underutilized Resource Boost Wisconsin's Workforce

May 20: First Group of DOC Students Earn Diplomas through New Madison College Program

April 15: DOC Working to Add Vendors to Property Contract

April 8: Response to Signing of 2021 Wisconsin Act 252

March 9: New Report Shows Impact of DOC Programs on Recidivism

February 25:DOC Lifting Suspension on In-Person Visits

February 2: Latest Monitor's Report Notes Continued Progress

January 21: DOC Provides KN95 Masks for Staff and Persons in Their Care

January 21: DOC, MATC Celebrate Graduates, Growing Partnership

January 13: DOC Implementing Temporary Changes as Omicron Cases Rise

2021

December 13: Young Men at Racine Correctional Facility Present Work to Potential Employers

December 9: New Assisted Needs Facility Complete, Being Readied for Patients

November 16: Monitor Notes Significant Improvements in Atmosphere and Morale at Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake

November 3: Wisconsin DOC Switching to Photocopied Personal Mail to Address Drug Concerns

July 27: Graduation at Waupun Correctional Institution a First for Wisconsin DOC

July 26: Latest Report Shows Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake Moving in Right Direction, Grappling with Change

July 15: DOC Offering Vaccination During Visitation

April 12: Temporary Change to Mail Processing at Fox Lake Correctional Institution

January 26: Monitor's Report Highlights Positive Trends at Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake

January 15: DOC, MATC Honor Fourteen Graduates

January 11: DOC Announces New Leadership Appointments

January 7: New Job Center Opening at Chippewa Valley Correctional Treatment Facility

2020

December 23: Camp Reunite Partners with Wisconsin DOC for Special Holiday Deliveries

December 1: Wisconsin DOC Closing a Cell Hall at Waupun Correctional Institution

October 27: 7th Monitor Report Highlights Continued Compliance with Court Order

October 16: Wisconsin Adopts Policy to Suspend Rather than Terminate Medicaid Coverage for Incarcerated Individuals

September 22: August 1 Incident at Lincoln Hills Prompts Operational Changes

September 14: Video Visits Keep Those in DOC Care Connected to Loved Ones during Pandemic

September 8: DOC's Oregon Farm Earns Achievement Award

September 3: DOC Announces Appointments of Two Wardens

August 24: Wisconsin DOC Nursing Director Honored by Peers

August 18: Second Round of Mass Testing Underway at Green Bay Correctional Institution

August 13: DOC's Division of Community Corrections Makes Major Upgrade

August 12: Message from DOC Secretary Kevin Carr: The Importance of Person First Language

July 20: Comprehensive Testing for COVID-19 at DOC Institutions Complete

July 16: April Escape Leads to Changes at Columbia Correctional Institution

July 8: 6th Monitor Report Highlights Improvements at Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake

June 22: COVID-19 Testing More than Halfway Complete at DOC Institutions 

June 12: Klint Trevino Announced as Superintendent for Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools

May 8: Wisconsin DOC Increasing COVID-19 Testing for Persons in our Care and Staff

April 17: Capture of Columbia Correctional Institution Inmates

April 16: Columbia Correctional Institution Escapes

2019

August 7: Secretary-Designee Carr Appoints Ron Hermes as new Division of Juvenile Corrections Administrator

May 8: Teacher Appreciation Week: Thank you to Department of Corrections teachers!

May 5: Nurse Appreciation Week: Thank you to our DOC nursing staff!

May 5: Department of Corrections Recognizes Staff During Correctional Employees Week

April 2: Employers meet with Governor Evers, Wisconsin Departments of Corrections and Workforce Development Secretary-Designees at Oakhill Job Center

January 29: Wisconsin Department of Corrections Modifies Operations due to Executive Order #7

2018

December 20: Minimum-Security Inmates Earn Technical College Certificates in High-Demand Occupation

November 15: Inmate Apprenticeships Provide Valuable Skills After Release

November 12: New Job Center Builds on Department s Success Training Inmates for Careers in the Community

October 23: Probation and Parole Agents, Law Enforcement Work Together to Protect Communities during Halloween Trick-or-Treating

October 11: Growing Our Workforce: Governor Walker Announces Plan to Expand Worker Training within Wisconsin s Correctional Institutions

August 7: Fourteen Offenders with Opioid Addictions Get a Second Chance Fact Sheet

August 6: Department of Corrections Celebrates Assistance Dog Week

August 2: DOC Announces Recruitment Fairs for Open Security Positions Career Fairs Flyer

July 30: Minimum-Security Inmates Complete Technical College Certificate Program for Construction

July 9: DOC, Hometown Heroes Host First-Ever Camp Reunite

June 28: Minimum-Security Inmates Complete Industrial Maintenance Program

June 21: Inmates Complete Gas Metal Arc Welding Program

June 18: Inmates Complete Nicolet College Mechanical Maintenance Program

June 5: Wisconsin DOC Teams Raise Nearly $40,000 for Special Olympics

June 1: Statement Regarding Settlement in J.J. et al v. Litscher et alSettlement Agreement

May 23: Governor Walker Appoints Cathy Jess to Serve as Secretary of the Department of Corrections, Thanks Jon Litscher for His Many Years of Service to Wisconsin

May 18: 41 Correctional Officers Graduate from Local Pre-Service Academy Held in Green Bay

May 7: Department Kicks Off Correctional Employees Week Proclamation

April 20: Stanley Inmates Participate in Spring Graduation Ceremony

April 17: DOC AND WDVA Host Resource Fairs for Incarcerated Veterans Pictures

April 12: Inmate Workers Earn Dairy Worker Training Certificate Picture Picture

April 9: Department of Corrections Recognizes Crime Victims Rights Week Proclamation

March 20: Department of Corrections Reaches Settlement Regarding November 2015 Incident at Copper Lake School Supporting Documents

March 5: Jackson Correctional Institution Hosts Appreciation Night for Can Do Canines Fosters

February 22: Department of Corrections Celebrates Opioid Addiction Treatment Program Participants Program Fact Sheet

January 4: Governor Walker Announces Plan to Provide a Long-Term Solution for Wisconsin's Juvenile Corrections and Treatment Systems