About Wisconsin Department of Corrections
Use this website for informational purposes only.
The correctional system in Wisconsin is operated and managed by the Department of Corrections (DOC). The Wisconsin DOC is responsible for the custody and management of individuals who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to incarceration within the state. They aim to contribute to public safety by operating safe and secure facilities while providing opportunities for rehabilitation to the incarcerated individuals.
The Wisconsin DOC manages multiple correctional facilities including state prisons, county jails, and city jails, each designed to house individuals at different stages of the criminal justice process, and depending on the severity and nature of their offenses.
Types of Correctional Institutions in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, there are several types of correctional facilities:
State Prisons
State prisons are designed for individuals who have been convicted of felonies and are serving longer sentences. They are operated by the Wisconsin DOC. These include facilities such as Dodge Correctional Institution, Green Bay Correctional Institution, and Waupun Correctional Institution, among others.
County Jails
County jails are managed by the sheriff's office of each respective county. These facilities typically house individuals who are awaiting trial or serving short sentences, typically less than one year. Notable county jails in Wisconsin include Dane County Jail, Milwaukee County Jail, and Brown County Jail.
City Jails
City jails, operated by local law enforcement agencies, primarily hold individuals immediately after their arrest and until they can be brought before a judge, usually for minor offenses or for short periods.
Federal Prisons
Federal prisons are designed to hold individuals who have been convicted of federal crimes. There is one federal prison in Wisconsin, Federal Correctional Institution, Oxford.
Inmate Search Options in Wisconsin
Depending on the type of facility where an individual is housed, there are various online and offline methods for conducting inmate searches:
State Prisons
For individuals incarcerated in state prisons, the Wisconsin DOC provides an online search tool known as the Offender Search available on the DOC's website. Users can search using an offender's DOC number or by name. If an online search is not feasible, you can also call the DOC directly for information.
County Jails
For county jails, most county sheriff's offices offer online inmate lookup tools on their respective websites. Here are a few examples:
- Dane County Jail
- Milwaukee County Jail
- Brown County Jail
If online tools are not available or don't provide the needed information, you can call the respective sheriff's office directly.
City Jails
City jails often do not offer online search options due to the short-term nature of their detainees. For information on an individual in a city jail, the best course of action is to call the city's law enforcement agency directly.
Federal Prisons
For federal inmates, the Federal Bureau of Prisons provides an online Inmate Locator tool. It allows you to search for an inmate by their name or their unique Bureau of Prisons (BOP) register number. Alternatively, you can call the specific federal institution directly for information.
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