Purpose Statement
The purpose of the Wisconsin Correctional Center System (WCCS) is to prepare persons in our care (PIOCs) for safe and successful reintegration into the community by providing the resources necessary to make positive life changes.
Institution Information
WCCS, one of 20 DOC adult institutions, is a decentralized network of 14 minimum-security facilities located across the state with the Warden's, Business, and Records Office functions located at Department headquarters in Madison. Each center is overseen locally by a superintendent. Additional information about WCCS can be found in their annual report.
Institution Fact Sheet
Center Setting
Each of the correctional centers is unique because of its historic development and geographic location. Correctional centers are similar in that each is small in size (fewer than 300 inmates) and all are operationally self-contained. PIOCs are housed in single, double, or multiple occupant rooms. PIOCs generally have more freedom to move about the facility's building and grounds during designated hours of the day than do PIOCs housed in an institution. Some correctional centers serve a specific program or population need; such as drug and alcohol treatment, education, or “boot camp” type programming. Others primarily focus on work release and work crew participation.
Most PIOCs at a correctional center are beginning the transition process back to society. PIOCs are offered the opportunity of increased responsibility and begin making more decisions for themselves while at a correctional center.
PIOC Population
All PIOCs housed in correctional centers are convicted felons who are under the care and custody of the DOC. All PIOCs are classified minimum-security based upon criteria that includes factors such as offense and sentence structure, prison adjustment, risk of escape, and/or outstanding warrants/detainers. Felony probationers/parolees are sometimes placed in the centers as an alternative to revocation when found to have violated their conditions of supervision in the community.
Job Assignments and Work Release
Programming at the correctional centers is directed toward release and living in the community. Some PIOCs have center work assignments that assist with facility operations and maintenance. Many PIOCs are also placed on supervised community work crews, while others earn the privilege of a work release placement. All PIOCs on work release pay income taxes; room, board and transportation; child support; and restitution owed to victims. Work release pay also provides PIOCs with the opportunity to save money for release. PIOCs at correctional centers continue treatment programs; education; family reintegration; religious and leisure activities.
WCCS Correctional Centers*