JACKSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

ANNUAL REPORT FY19

Fiscal Year of July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.

Message from the Warden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Facility Mission and Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Fast Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Institution Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Inmate Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Security Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Human Resources Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Buildings, Grounds, & Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Corrections Management Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Food Services Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Health Services Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Psychological Services Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Chapel Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Education Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Library (General and Law) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Offender Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Inmate Complaints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Badger State Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Bureau of Classification and Movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Recreation, Hobby, & Community Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Corrections Program Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Housing Units: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Melrose

Neillsville

Oxbow

Quarry

X Building (the Barracks)

1

JACKSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION Warden Lizzie Tegels

N6500 Haipek Rd, P.O. Box 232

Black River Falls, WI 54615-0232

Phone: 715-284-4550 Fax: 715-284-7335

MESSAGE FROM WARDEN TEGELS

Welcome to Jackson Correctional Institution’s (JCI) Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19). The operation of a

prison requires staff from all disciplines, working together, to keep the Institution not just operational, but safe and

secure for inmates, staff, and the community we serve. The accomplishments in this report highlight the dedication

and commitment of JCI’s staff.

Beyond the day-to-day operations, JCI’s continuing endeavors this past fiscal year included:

Serve as a transportation hub for the northern minimum custody Correctional Centers.

Strengthen our relationship with community agencies through fundraisers, meetings, and tours.

Collaborate with Can Do Canines, a non-profit organization based in New Hope, MN, as we continue

implementation with the Prisoners Assisting with Service Dogs (PAWS) Program.

Substance Use Disorder Program provides services to inmates with hopes to further expand treatment.

Expand vocational programming.

New highlights within the past fiscal year:

Additional programming is offered in our Restrictive Housing Unit, which provides opportunities for inmates

to make positive cognitive changes in an effort to improve their institution adjustment.

Coordination with Department of Corrections (DOC) to implement a kiosk system, which allows inmates to

maintain contact with family and friends by electronic messages.

New Mobile Lab, which will create and enhance additional vocational programming for inmates.

Statewide staff vacancies were compounded by a tight labor market which prompted statewide staffing shortfalls.

Local recruitment and retention was the focus of the DOC. New staff continue to fill openings, and their training

is supplemented upon hire by our local Field Training Officer program.

Under the guidance of the DOC, JCI continues to educate and train our staff in Trauma Informed Care which focuses

on how trauma may affect an individual’s life and their response to stress based on past experiences. This approach

will be used with inmates in our custody, as well as staff who may experience vicarious trauma from working in a

challenging environment.

None of these accomplishments would be possible without the combined professional efforts of JCI staff which

epitomize the best traditions of public service. We are proud of our staff and the work they do each day. In

recognition of all JCI staff, I am honored to present this annual report.

Lizzie Tegels Warden

Jackson Correctional Institution Special Historical Notes & Other Institutional Information: In 1990, the State Building Commission and the Department of Administration requested a study to

determine additional space needed for the growing prison population. As a result, in December, 1990, the State of Wisconsin Correctional System's Development

Plan was established. The plan was a $145.4 million building program, adding 1,684 beds to the prison system. As part of this plan, Jackson Correctional Institution was built to accommodate 686 beds as a medium security adult prison. It opened its doors to receive inmates on May 6, 1996. A 150-bed barracks was added in

October of 1997.

2

FACILITY MISSION AND GOALS

Provide for the protection of the public, staff, and inmates, while offering inmates positive behavioral options and

programming to enhance their successful reintegration back into society.

FAST FACTS

Date Opened: 1996 Security Level: Medium

Operating Capacity: 837 Males 06/30/2019 Population: 1,000

Uniformed Staff: 184 Non-Uniformed Staff: 113

Inmate-to-Staff Ratio: 3.3 to 1 FY19 Operating Budget: $24,362,137.81

Institution Grounds: 42 Acres Total Land Parcel: 251 Acres

INSTITUTION CONTACTS

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator: Quarry Unit Supervisor Melinda Derus 715-284-7230

Inmate Complaint Examiner (ICE): Examiner Jodi Dougherty 715-284-7021

Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Coordinator: Education Director Randy Scott 715-284-7360

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Coordinator: Security Director Kevin Garceau 715-284-7350

Correctional Offender Management Profiling for

Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS) Coordinator: Social Worker Olivia Solberg 715-284-7237

INMATE PROGRAMS

Education:

Academic: Adult Basic Education, General Educational Development (GED) Certificate, High School

Equivalency Diploma (HSED), and Financial Literacy.

Technical: Computer Literacy.

Vocational: Food Service Assistant. JCI looks forward to offering an Electro Mechanical Certificate

Program beginning in the fall of 2019.

University: Second Chance Pell Program, and Great Courses which are college-level lecture classes on DVD.

Library: JCI’s Library provides numerous books and resources; JCI also offers a Law Library.

Community Service:

Community Service Projects: Inmates make stuffed animals, blankets, quilts, shawls, and tote bags. These items

are donated to local service agencies and military agencies to aid in international relations. Inmates also make

“memory” bears, quilts, or pillows for family members who have lost a loved one. JCI works in coordination with

the local hospital and hospice programs to provide this service to community members. Additionally, we make

hospital tote bags and catheter bags for the local hospital for patients’ use.

Crocheting Project: Inmates crochet hats, mittens, scarves, blankets, and lap afghans for community service

groups who, in turn, give to families in need. Inmates also make other needed items, such as baby wraps for

newborns.

Inmate Work Assignments:

Badger State Industries: Screen printing of new and refurbished highway signs for government and non-profit

agencies.

Institution: Inmates hold a variety of jobs throughout the Institution, helping with daily operations.

Other:

Treatment: Alcohol/drug addiction, anger management, cognitive programming, domestic violence, and sex

offender. 3

Recreation: Health and fitness, intramural and tournament sporting events, exercise for health program, and

table games.

Crochet Class: JCI offers a crochet program where inmates can volunteer to come to a class to learn how to

crochet. Four two-hour long classes are offered weekly for inmates to attend.

Hobbies: Beading, drawing, painting, yarn (crochet, knitting, plastic canvas), model making, and music.

SECURITY DEPARTMENT

The Security Department provides a safe and secure facility for the public, staff, and inmates. Security staff also provide

positive role models for inmates to learn how to constructively deal with adversity. Inmates are held accountable for

complying with Wisconsin’s Statutory Laws, the Department of Correction’s Administrative Codes, and the

Institution’s Policies and Procedures.

JCI has 14 Security Supervisors, 56 Correctional Sergeants, and 128 Correctional Officer positions. The Security

Department strives to meet the missions and goals of the Department of Corrections through training,

communication, experience, and education. Our Security Department works cooperatively through a

multidisciplinary approach.

Total Conduct Reports 07/01/2018 to 06/30/2019: Majors 496

Minors 854

Appeals 70 (with 8 modified)

Total 1,350

HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

Employment and Recruitment:

Beginning July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019, JCI had 66 positions become vacant; 62 staff were hired.

Uniformed staff 184; non-uniformed staff 113; total JCI staff 297. Inmate-to-staff ratio is 3.3 inmates to 1 staff.

The Human Resources (HR) Department continues to work with area universities and technical colleges to

establish a recruitment base for a number of positions via internships and information sharing.

If a person is interested in employment opportunities, they may visit the State of Wisconsin job posting site at

www.wisc.jobs, or the Department of Corrections website at http://doc.wi.gov/Home and click on Employment.

The JCI HR Department may also be contacted at (715) 284-7314.

Employee Services Program:

The Employee Services Program (ESP) is a confidential program administered by FEI-Workplace Resilience.

This program provides the following services for employees and their family members:

A 24-hour Helpline available seven days a week for confidential telephone consultation and problem solving

for both the employee and their family members.

Professional assessment and goal-oriented problem solving for challenging situations, with the ability to

schedule an appointment with a counselor.

Browse online Health and Wellness, Disaster Services, Violence Prevention, Work/Life Resources, an online

library, and more.

In addition to interactive assessments, informative articles, and relevant training topics, ‘Life Matters’ provides

national coverage for family members needing services who reside outside Wisconsin.

Newsletters and additional information distributed on a regular basis. The ESP Coordinators for JCI are Captain

Erin Dunahay and Lieutenant Mark Garavalia.

BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND MAINTENANCE Facility accomplishments:

JCI received $8,828.78 from the Facilities Management Council for requested Institution maintenance repairs,

and $251,900 for requested projects funded by the Department of Administration. 4

Recycled aluminum, cardboard, office paper, plastic, tin and scrap metals, totaling 94,496 pounds, sold for

$5,675.21.

The wood shop made Boy Scout tent stakes with supplied materials, charitable auction items, and plaques for

non-profit organizations.

Spiral mixer installed in Food Services.

Mobile Lab utility and infrastructure completed.

EMR Ethernet and wireless access points installed in housing units and Health Services Unit.

Installed KIOSK Wireless access points in housing units.

Natural Gas usage was 441,694 Dekatherms, costing $196,747.59.

Garbage equaled 357.41 tons, at a disposal cost of $30,743.09.

Added more LED lighting in areas throughout the Institution.

Electricity usage equaled 5,224,500 KWHs, costing $453,590.29.

Water usage equaled 36,434,317 gallons, costing $61,261.01.

Sewer charges cost $308,415.55.

The Maintenance Department completed 2,664 work orders.

CORRECTIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Expenditures:

$ 890,420.90 Local Area Expenditures – JCI’s direct impact on the local economy in form of payments made to

various vendors and suppliers in FY19.

$11,272,683.88 Outside – all other vendors.

$12,163,104.78 Total amount of non-salary expenditures incurred by the Institution during FY19.

Canteen Expenditures:

JCI currently uses contracted canteen services; therefore, all canteen purchases are from an outside vendor. Total

amount of products purchased for resale to inmates at the Institution Canteen were $648,453.23. State and county

sales tax are collected from Canteen purchases.

Inmate Expenditures:

Inmate Expenditures is a list of various court-ordered or Institution-mandated costs which inmates are required to pay.

Victim Witness Surcharge $15,852.48

DNA Surcharge $28,313.72

Medical Co-Pay Fees $8,600.16

Restitution to Courts $83,934.31

Restitution to JCI $4,678.48

Child Support $32,973.93

FOOD SERVICES DEPARTMENT

From July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019, the Food Services Department prepared and delivered 1,036,408 meals for

Institution inmates and eligible staff. Meals are planned and prepared to be nutritionally adequate, favorably acceptable,

and within budgetary guidelines. Standardized recipes and safe food handling guidelines are part of standard operating

procedures.

The Food Services Department is staffed by one Food Service Administrator, one Food Service Manager, and seven

Correction’s Food Service Leaders. These staff members supervise and instruct approximately 60 inmate workers in

the production, distribution, and food safety of all Institution meals, and the cleanliness and sanitation of the Main

Kitchen and Bakery. Security coverage is provided during hours of operation by one Kitchen Officer and one Food

Distribution Officer. 5

The majority of food items are sent in bulk to each of the Housing Units where inmate workers serve the meal to the

general population. Food Services staff develops guidelines and rules for meal distribution on the units, and periodically

monitors meal service for compliance. Approximately 7 percent of the Institution's meals are served on individual trays

which are prepared in Food Services. These trays include medical and religious diet trays for inmates, plus staff who

eat their meals in their work areas.

HEALTH SERVICES UNIT

Health Services Unit (HSU) Mission Statement: Provide access to care in a correctional setting which promotes

teamwork, a safe environment, and delivery of health care as part of a multi-disciplinary team to meet the holistic needs

of our patients.

HSU is staffed seven days a week; Monday thru Friday hours are 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; weekends and holiday hours

are 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. HSU is staffed by an MD, NP, RNs, LPNs, MAs, and an HSU Manager. Support services

are provided by a Medical Program Assistant and part-time Program Assistant. Hours not covered by an on-grounds

nurse, are covered by an on-call nurse; the State also has an on-call MD. HSU provides treatment for the acute and

chronically ill patients. On-site services include daily triaging of health services requests, scheduling and seeing patients

for general medical care and emergencies, managing medications, lab services, EKG’s, x-rays/ultrasounds, dental

services, optical, physical therapy, and chronic care conditions. Nurses are assigned to chronic groups, infection control,

and JCI’s Health and Safety Committee. Comprehensive specialty services are provided off-site at UW-Madison,

Waupun, Black River Falls, and Gundersen Health in La Crosse. Emergent care is provided locally by Black River

Memorial Hospital. HSU also utilizes tele-med equipment for specialty appointments to minimize the number of

patients being transported offsite for medical care.

Dental Services operate Monday through Friday. Dental staff includes a Dentist, Dental Assistant, and part-time Dental

Hygienist.

Other services include Physical Therapist two to three days a week, Psychiatrist two days a week, Optical, and X-ray.

HSU also works very closely with the Psychological Services Unit (PSU) making referrals as needed. Multi-

disciplinary meetings are held when concerns arise.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES UNIT

The Psychological Services Unit (PSU) assists in the protection of our community by conducting evaluation and

treatment of mental health needs for inmates at JCI, as well as providing critical offense-specific and other group

psychotherapy. The most common services provided by the Psychology Department are described below, although

PSU is involved in a wide range of activities, as the DOC gives priority to providing mental health treatment to

offenders. PSU also provides consultative services and annual suicide prevention training to JCI staff.

Crisis Intervention: PSU has staff available for consultation and/or crisis intervention 24-hours a day, seven days a

week. Psychology staff conduct psychological evaluations, provide protective placement through clinical observation

or restraints of offenders who are at risk to harm themselves or others, conduct weekly Restrictive Housing Unit (RHU)

rounds, make referrals to the Wisconsin Resource Center when necessary, consult with and refer offenders to other

institutions for specialty programming, and work with Institution staff to provide protections to inmates who are

particularly vulnerable.

Mental Health Treatment: The Psychology Department provides mental health screening for inmates who request

services or are referred by Institution staff. In addition, PSU conducts talk-therapy in conjunction with, or without, the

use of psychotropic medication as a means of decreasing symptoms of mental illness, improving emotional control, and

increasing an inmate’s quality of life. Referrals are made to our psychiatrist when necessary for evaluation and 6

medication management. PSU also attends weekly reviews of the inmates who are housed in RHU to ensure adequate

adjustment to this environment. In addition, offenders with more complex mental health or behavioral concerns are

reviewed at mental health multidisciplinary meetings.

Offense-Specific Programming: In addition to providing programming to assist offenders in emotional regulation,

JCI also provides Sex Offender Treatment (SOT-2) to inmates. This group involves a minimum of 100-hours of face-

to-face programming for individuals who have a sexual offense.

CHAPEL SERVICES

The Chapel at JCI offers a Chapel Library, congregate worship services, seminars, and study groups for seven

recognized umbrella religious groups, which include the following:

Alcoholics Anonymous Catholic Service/Mass Pagan Service

Baptismal Services Ecumenical Bible Study Prison Fellowship

Buddhist Services Islamic Jumah / Media Protestant Worship Services

Buddhist Meditation Jehovah’s Witness Study Religious Congregate Meals

Catholic Bible Study Native American Sweat Lodge,

Pipe & Drum

Rosary Project

JCI has 160 volunteers who invested nearly 2,800 hours of spiritual support to the inmates, making our volunteers a

crucial Chapel resource.

The Chapel held the following special activities in FY19: Three Buddhist Meditation Seminars, one Christian Concert,

ten Sweat Lodges, eleven Christian workshops/Seminars, two Pen Project, five “513” Seminars, Baptismal Services,

and Christmas Eve Services. The Jewish, Pagan, Islamic, Native American, and Eastern Religion inmates participated

in group feasts. We also offered “media times” for any faith group who had a service cancelled for some reason.

The Chapel also participated in the Angel Tree (71) and Salvation Army Toy Projects (35). Angel Tree is a ministry of

Prison Fellowship through which children of incarcerated parents can receive Christmas presents. The Toy Project is

similar to Angel Tree and administered by The Salvation Army.

In FY19, JCI received a total of 2,357 inmate requests for the Chapel Card Program, with 4,714 greeting cards

distributed to inmates. Total inmate contacts for all programs and card requests in FY19 were just over 4,277.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Educational Services assists inmates’ educational and career advancement. Education files for new admissions are

reviewed weekly to properly determine education needs. Counseling is provided to inmates to assess and plan for their

academic and career goals. The Test of Adult Basic Education is administered to all incoming inmates with educational

and/or program needs. Standard Limited English Proficiency services are provided to inmates with limited English.

Adult Basic Education: Inmates who have not graduated from high school can take academic classes which provide

preparation to successfully complete their General Educational Development (GED) Certificate or High School

Equivalency Diploma (HSED). Adult basic education classes to earn a GED include course work and tests in math,

language arts, science, social studies, and civics; additionally, inmates wanting to complete their HSED can also enroll

in health and employability courses. In FY19, JCI had 11 students complete their GED/HSED course work with an

average GED test pass rate of 93 percent, compared to the national average pass rate of 89 percent.

Literacy and Personal Development: The Northern Woods School and Library believes interaction with our students

will improve literacy, encourage employability, and create lifelong learners and productive members of our society

within a safe, positive, and compassionate environment. JCI is an advocate of the Pro-Literacy of America organization 7

and supports the Wisconsin Institutions Literacy Council, which offers tutoring services for students enrolled in school

and pursuing their GED/HSED. JCI Educators trained ten inmate tutors during FY19; each tutor trainee received 30

hours of instruction along with classroom practice.

Parenting Class: A Parenting Class is offered to fathers to better learn how to be a good parent; this is a performance-

based learning environment where students have an active role in learning; a final project is created as a culmination of

what is learned, and the fathers send the creations to their children who can then say, “my dad made this for me.”

Vocational/Technical Education and Programming: JCI is certified through Western Technical College (WTC) and

offers the following vocational education:

A 12-credit Food Service Assistant Certificate; an additional two credits are earned in Bakery. JCI had 18

students complete the program and earn certificates as Food Service Assistants in FY19.

An apprenticeship Program in the area of Food Service Prep Cook is also available.

JCI’s Food Services Program provided fundraisers for the Tomah Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); a total

of $2,000 in donations was raised and contributed to the Tomah VA.

JCI is on the threshold of starting a 12-credit Electro Mechanical Certificate Program in its new Mobile Lab;

when available, this program will enroll 12 students; upon successful completion, each student will earn a

certificate.

University Level Training:

Educational Services serves as a liaison for inmates participating in print-based correspondence courses through

cooperating accredited colleges.

The “Second Chance PELL Program” is a competitive program offering qualifying inmates a federal grant and

the opportunity to earn an Associate’s Degree in either Science or Arts. These credits are transferable to four-

year colleges and universities in Wisconsin, and once released from an institution, the person can continue their

education and work towards earning a Bachelor degree in the following fields: biology, chemistry, physics,

mathematics, English, psychology, chemical technology, and biotechnology.

LIBRARY SERVICES

The JCI Library provides library service for staff and approximately 1,000 offenders. During FY19, the Library had

33,445 visits by offenders. The Inter-Library Loan Program borrowed 3,328 books, and loaned 276 books to other

institutions.

JCI’s Law Library was visited 6,718 times. There are six computers to access the Lexis Nexis database in the Law

Library, and one computer in the Restricted Housing Unit. In addition to this, core electronic law resources and other

print resources are available in the Law Library.

The Library offers a “Fathers Video Book,” which allows fathers to read a book to their child on DVD and send it home.

The Library also offers “Great Courses” DVD’s, which are a series of college-level lectures on a variety of subjects.

OFFENDER RECORDS OFFICE

The JCI Records Office is responsible for the maintenance of inmate social service and legal files, processing of inmate

releases, and coordination of inmate parole hearings. Records Office staff is composed of an Offender Records

Supervisor, Corrections Sentencing Associate, and two Offender Records Associates. Records staff perform sentence

calculations to establish maximum discharge, mandatory release, extended supervision, and parole eligibility dates;

verify legal documents and serve legal papers; provide notary services; schedule inmate court appearances, professional

calls, and visits; and respond to inquiries from staff, inmates, and the public. Records Office accomplishments include:

Calculated 573 sentences. 8

Wrote 78 letters to Courts.

Processed 242 inmate releases.

Scheduled 219 court pick-ups.

Scheduled 60 Parole hearings.

Closed out 242 files.

Coordinated 772 transfers out.

Scheduled 1,278 phone/video calls and professional visits.

INMATE COMPLAINTS

The Inmate Complaint Review System (ICRS) is established pursuant to Wisconsin Administrative Code DOC 310.

The ICRS provides JCI inmates a process by which grievances may be addressed. The Institution Complaint Examiner

(ICE), under the supervision of the Warden, investigates concerns regarding rules, living conditions, and staff actions

affecting Institution living. Inmates and staff have the opportunity to review and better understand correctional policy

and to correct any errors or deficiencies. JCI processed a total of 1,511 complaints during FY19; 917 complaints were

accepted and assigned a number, 594 submissions were returned in accordance with DOC 310. The following statistics

reflect the types of complaints which were accepted:

Department Complaints Department Complaints

Bureau of Correctional Enterprises 0 Personal Property 121 Breach of Confidential Health Info 24 Psychiatry 12

Classification 16 Psychology 2

Correspondence & Publication 64 Religion 3

Dental 22 Rules 13

Discrimination 0 Sexual Misconduct (Inmate) 1

Discipline 42 Sexual Misconduct (Staff) 3

Food 14 Staff 43

Inmate Complaint Review System 2 Staff Misconduct 5

Inmate Accounts 35 Visiting 21

Medical 347 Work & School Programs 23 Parole/Release 2 Other 62

Personal Physical Conditions 40

Total Number of Accepted Complaints: 917

BADGER STATE INDUSTRIES

Badger State Industries (BSI) employs two staff and 24 offenders in the new and recycled sign manufacturing program

for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and other local government and non-profit agencies. BSI offers an

opportunity for inmates to learn valuable work skills, as well as develop a positive work ethic. Workers’ wages begin

at $.20 an hour, with the capability of earning up to $1.00.

BUREAU OF OFFENDER CLASSIFICATION AND MOVEMENT (BOCM)

The Reclassification Committee (RC) protects the public, staff, and inmates through the centralized classification of

inmates to establish custody, placement, and program needs in order to safely afford inmates the opportunity to address

their successful re-entry into the community and reduce their risk of re-offending. An inmate is initially classified at

Dodge Correctional Institution Assessment & Evaluation; this provides him with an initial custody level, institutional

placement, and program assignment(s) upon his entry into the correctional system. 9

Reclassification staff review inmate progress during incarceration to provide recommendations regarding movement

through the system. Reclassification reviews are conducted annually (or more often if needed) and assess an inmate’s

risk relative to DOC 302.07. Recommendations are made by the RC, which is comprised of the Classification Specialist

and representatives from the Education, Social Services, and Security Departments. Reclassification is staffed with an

Offender Classification Specialist and an Operations Program Associate, who are employees of DOC’s BOCM.

Program review actions taken in FY19 included:

Appearances at hearings: 707

Waivers of hearings: 249

Scheduled hearings: 807

Early hearings: 149

Total year’s hearings: 956

RECREATION, HOBBIES, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS

The Recreation Department organizes leagues for summer softball, volleyball, basketball, kickball, bean bag toss, and

winter leagues for volleyball, basketball, ping pong, and handball. There are nine indoor and eight outdoor recreation

periods each day at which time inmates may check out equipment or lift weights. Inmates attend recreation when their

assigned housing unit is scheduled. On average, 50 inmates participate in the gym each period.

JCI inmates who work in the Community Service Program made and contributed over 2,500 items, which were donated

to the following organizations: Jackson County Project Christmas, Jackson County Cancer Society, Jackson County

Humane Society, Jackson County K9/Sheriff’s Department, Black River Memorial Hospital, Black River Falls Legion

Post 200, Bolton Refuge House, Women’s Outdoor Foundation, Crime Victim Awareness Fundraiser, Clark County

Angel Project, Augusta K-9 Fundraiser, the school districts of Black River Falls, Augusta, Neillsville, and Mauston, the

Milwaukee Merchant Schools, Monterey Mills, Onalaska Police Department, Eau Claire County Drug Court, Tomah

VA, The Gilbert Brown Foundation, The Memory Bear Project, USSA Child’s Wish Foundation, Boys and Girls Club,

and the Ashley Kids Christmas Program. Some of the 2,500 items made were also used to raise money for the benefit

of JCI’s Veterans’ Expo, JCI’s Canine Program, and Madison’s state-wide DOC fundraiser auctions.

CORRECTIONS PROGRAM SERVICES ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In honor of National Crime Victim Awareness week, JCI inmates paid to participate in ping pong, handball,

and bean bag tournaments, as well as purchase cookies and teddy bears. This event raised $4,303 in proceeds

that were donated to the Bolton Refuge House.

The Recreational Department held Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kwik Trip Donuts, and Taco John’s meal fundraisers for staff and inmates; $6,155 was raised for the purchase of recreational equipment for inmates.

Windows-to-Work Program provided education, support, and other services to assist inmates in making

successful transitions back into their communities upon release.

Reentry Program: The JCI Reentry Resource Room is open to inmates throughout the year. Inmates are encouraged

to address reentry goals during “open unit” periods. Program Services offers a variety of reentry group activities to

include self-paced modules such as Wellness, Employment, and Health. The reentry room coordinates with a number

of service organizations who come in to help assist inmates on issues such as Child Support, Veterans Benefits, Native

American Benefits, as well as Employment and Training Specialists. The reentry room also provides teleconferences

with the Alma Center SMART Reentry Program and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The reentry

team assists inmates in applying for replacement Social Security cards, birth certificates, and Wisconsin ID cards. To

date in 2019, assistance has been provided to inmates applying for the following:

405 Social Security cards.

185 ACA - Badger Care benefits for post release.

120 birth certificates.

175 Wisconsin State ID cards.

85 Social Security benefits. 10

HOUSING UNITS

JCI has five non-restrictive housing units: Melrose, Neillsville, Oxbow, Quarry, and X Building (or the Barracks).

Melrose, Neillsville, Oxbow, and Quarry housing units mainly have double occupancy cells with a maximum capacity

of 202 inmates in each housing unit; X Building has 152 bunk beds in a barracks-style housing unit.

In each housing unit, staff interact with inmates to provide a positive role model for responsible behavior and appropriate

decision making skills. Staff also counsel inmates on a variety of issues, including the positive and negative

consequences of their behavior and developing positive personal and work habits which will carry over when offenders

are released. Each unit operates on a philosophy of respect and appropriate treatment towards everyone. Personalized

tutoring by inmate tutors is provided on the units for inmates enrolled in adult basic education classes. Each unit

employs approximately 50 inmate workers in jobs such as food service, unit librarian, laundry, and custodial positions,

as employment helps develop a positive work ethic and a variety of work skills.

Each housing unit and its staff continually work toward providing avenues for successful community reintegration,

developing additional programs, decreasing inmate idleness, managing the ever-changing dynamics of the incoming

inmate population, and providing an environment conducive to change and improvement for the inmates.

Melrose: The Melrose Unit develops individual case plans for each inmate based on Correctional Offender

Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions (COMPAS) Assessments, which are completed six to nine months

prior to release. These assessments show results in personal strength areas, as well as areas of risk in varying degrees.

The inmate is assisted in understanding these areas, and the likelihood these life areas could influence the possibility of

recidivism. The inmate is assigned guides and brief intervention tools to help explore the mentioned life areas and

reduce the risk of recidivism. This gives the inmate more ownership of his goals and activities during his remaining

time at JCI.

Neillsville: The Neillsville Unit houses most of the inmates identified as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and

needing treatment. Unit programming staff includes five Social Workers and one contracted Treatment Specialist who

provide substance abuse treatment on the unit. The SUD program incorporated the Epictetus curriculum in 2019, (each

group discusses Greek Philosopher Epictetus living “free” as a Roman Empire slave and taking responsibility for one’s

own actions). Fidelity was added to the SUD modality by inviting supervisors from the Office of Program Support to

review delivery of treatment and provide feedback to staff.

Oxbow: The Oxbow Unit is a wet-cell unit, which provides the capacity for much greater control of inmate movement

than the other general population housing units at JCI. This unit houses most of the medically and psychologically

challenged inmates within JCI, as well as general population offenders. Oxbow develops and ensures proper treatment

for special-needs inmates, and conducts “Thinking for Change” treatment programming, also for special-needs inmates.

Oxbow offers components of the re-entry curriculum for inmates who choose to work on the materials on their own.

Quarry: The Quarry Unit houses offenders assigned to various work and educational programs, offers sex offender

treatment, as well as unassigned offenders (no job, school, or program assignment). During FY19, the emphasis on

the unit has been self-responsibility -- holding inmates responsible to make their own decisions and rely less on staff to

help prepare them for release to the community. During FY19, the residential sex offender treatment program

continued; inmates needing this program are identified through clinical services based on an evaluation which examines

offense dynamics, history, and family background, among other factors. Two inmate tutors assist program participants

with their studies and homework.

The Quarry Unit also houses the Prisoners Assisting with Service Dogs (PAWS) Program which allows inmates to train

assistance dogs for the Can Do Canines organization. Upon graduation, the dogs will assist clients with autism, diabetes,

mobility challenges, hearing loss, or seizures. In March, 2019, the second set of training dogs left for their next step,

and JCI received its third group of dogs in May. JCI’s first-trained dog was assigned his final client and officially 11

graduated from the program in 2019. Five other dogs from the first group have been assigned clients and will graduate

in October, 2019. We currently have 40 inmates who volunteer to participate in this program. Can Do Canines provides

a trainer who comes in once a week to teach the inmate handlers how to properly train the dogs. JCI also coordinates

with outside families in the community for weekend fostering of the dogs.

X Building: X Building serves as JCI’s reception and orientation unit for all inmates arriving at JCI. Orientation

includes the Institution philosophy, expectations, Prison Rape Elimination Act video and review, program participation,

educational opportunities, Americans with Disabilities Act, and re-entry initiatives. The Barracks also temporarily

houses minimum-security inmates scheduled to transfer to a northern center, as well as medium-security inmates

anticipating transfer to another JCI housing unit. Inmates have an average stay of 90 days in the Barracks before

relocating to another housing unit within JCI.

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