Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam)
Wisconsin 37th Assembly District
October 30, 2025
MADISON — When it comes to reforming Wisconsin’s correctional system, there is one principle that must remain at the forefront and that is public safety. Every decision we make, from planning new facilities to closing outdated ones, must be grounded in data, accountability, and transparency. Anything less risks the safety of our communities, correctional officers, and the very integrity of the justice system. That is why I joined my Republican colleagues in calling on Governor Evers to stop playing politics with Wisconsin’s correctional future and start producing real plans rooted in reality.
The governor’s administration demanded that the State Building Commission release $15 million in taxpayer funds to begin planning his “corrections realignment”. Yet his “plan” wasn’t really a plan after all.
Let’s be clear: Republicans agree that Green Bay Correctional Institution (GBCI) is outdated and must be replaced, but what we will not support is another blank check to an administration that has failed to deliver transparent, detailed plans for how to move forward.
Over the past decade, Wisconsin’s correctional population has grown while our facilities have become dangerously overcrowded. Staffing shortages have reached crisis levels. If we are serious about fixing these problems, we need real numbers, not political headlines.
The Legislature has laid out exactly what we expect from the administration before any project moves forward to enumeration:
- A comprehensive, facility-by-facility breakdown of capacity needs based on current law, not wishful thinking
- A clear timeline for closing GBCI — no later than 2029 — that protects both public safety and taxpayer dollars
- Design-level documentation with real cost estimates, not rough guesses or inflated promises
The people of Wisconsin deserve honesty, our correctional officers deserve safe working conditions, and taxpayers deserve to know their dollars are being used responsibly. Unfortunately, what we’ve seen from the Evers administration so far is more political theater than real planning. Their so-called “comprehensive corrections plan” lacks the details, the data, and the discipline necessary to move forward.
Republicans in the Legislature stand ready to work toward a safer, more efficient correctional system. On Tuesday, the State Building Commission voted to release the $15 million requested by the governor, but that money should be used responsibly. It is not a blank check. Every dollar must go toward developing real, detailed plans that reflect actual needs and protect public safety. We will not rubber-stamp another vague, headline-driven initiative that risks public safety and waste taxpayer money.
Additionally, Representative Mark Born submitted the following statement to Waupun Pioneer News along with the letter:
“The State Building Commission’s action on Tuesday to release $15 million for corrections planning is an important first step in realigning Wisconsin’s correctional system,” Rep. Born wrote. “That funding allows us to begin the detailed planning and design work that should have been done from the start.”
On Waupun Correctional Institution:
“At this stage, the future of Waupun Correctional Institution remains unknown and it would be premature to make promises without a clear, data-driven plan. Unfortunately, the governor’s proposal so far has been incomplete and lacks the transparency and accountability taxpayers deserve. As this process moves forward, I will continue to strongly advocate for Waupun Correctional Institution and the dedicated staff, families, and community that have supported the facility for generations.”
Moving forward:
“Republicans remain committed to responsible and safe reform. We need accurate information, sound designs, and real cost estimates before any major decisions are made. Tuesday’s vote moves us toward that goal, but it’s only the beginning of ensuring Wisconsin’s correctional facilities are safe, efficient, and sustainable for the long term.”
