MADISON (AP) — Republicans who control the Legislature's finance committee are set to consider portions of Gov. Tony Evers' budget that would create new prison barracks and set aside millions for prison worker overtime and raises.
Evers' budget calls for borrowing $15 million to build three new 144-bed barracks, with two barracks at Jackson Correctional Institution in Black River Falls and one at Taycheedah Correctional Institution in Fond du Lac. The proposal comes as the state prison system continues to grapple with overcrowding.
The budget also calls for setting aside an additional $65 million for prison worker overtime costs and $23.7 million for raises for guards.
The finance committee is set to take up the provisions Tuesday. The panel could vote to approve the proposals, modify them or remove them from the budget.
