A Federal Judge Rejects Calls by Republican Legislators to Give Counselors More Leeway in Wisconsin’s Troubled Youth Prison
Prison Conditions Have Been Under Scrutiny Since 2020
In 2020, the ACLU filed a lawsuit against the Wisconsin Department of Corrections after allegations of abuse and neglect at the prison.
The lawsuit alleged that staff at the prison had used excessive force, pepper spray, and solitary confinement on inmates.
Legislators Wanted Counselors to Have More Leeway
In response to the lawsuit, Republican legislators introduced a bill that would have given counselors more authority to discipline inmates.
The bill would have allowed counselors to use physical force, pepper spray, and solitary confinement on inmates without first getting approval from a supervisor.
Federal Judge Rejects Bill
A federal judge struck down the bill, on the grounds that it would violate the inmates’ constitutional rights.
The judge ruled that the bill would allow counselors to use excessive force and discipline inmates without due process.
Prison Conditions Remain a Concern
The ruling is a setback for Republican legislators who have been calling for tougher measures to be taken against inmates at the prison.
However, it is a victory for the ACLU and other advocates who have been fighting to improve conditions at the prison.
What’s Next?
It is unclear what will happen next in the case.
The state could appeal the judge’s ruling, or it could work with the ACLU to develop new policies that comply with the Constitution.
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