Governor Tony Evers, in a plan to modernize the state’s correctional system, announced plans to close the Green Bay Correctional Institute (GBCI). 

Evers’ administration is looking to shut down GBCI due to its age and poor condition, and use funds that were allocated for updates to the facility ($15 million) to revamp other institutions such as Waupun Correctional.  The closure was previously scheduled for 2029 in the budget, but Evers used a line-item veto to remove the specific date.  The State Building Commission will vote on the release of these funds later this month. 

The state’s plan calls for transferring GBCI’s inmate population to an expanded Stanley Correctional Institution (near Eau Claire).  The closure would also shift some of GBCI’s workforce to an expanded Sanger B. Powers Correctional Center (near Green Bay).  State Building Commission member and First District State Senator Andre Jacque says they were briefed on Evers' request on Thursday. He says there are some details that still need to be ironed out, especially since the governor will no longer be office.

According to WLUK-TV, State Reps. Dave Steffen (R-Howard) and Ben Franklin (R-De Pere) are supportive of Evers' request, with Frankling going as far as putting a 2029 deadline for the facility's closure.