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The Wisconsin Department of Corrections is again accepting new prisoners and transferring inmates between institutions while the coronavirus pandemic continues. But the department also says it’s rolling out safeguards — such as quarantining new prisoners and transfers — and ramping up testing, Emily Hamer reports for the Wisconsin State Journal.
The development comes despite criminal justice reform advocates’ calls for Gov. Tony Evers to cut populations at overcrowded prisons to protect vulnerable inmates. But as Wisconsin Watch reported last month, Evers refuses to wield his power to release inmates despite campaigning on a promise to cut prison populations by 50%.
Inmates say overcrowding leaves them regularly too close to their peers and staff at a time when experts call distance a top tool for slowing the spread of COVID-19. Wisconsin prisons house 25% more inmates than they were designed to, and they lag far behind county jails in reducing inmate populations.
Top Stories
Mass testing, more quarantines: Wisconsin prisons’ plan for moving forward amid pandemic — Wisconsin State Journal
25 residents, 23 staff get COVID-19 at Belmont nursing home in Madison — Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin’s Native American tribes to ‘reimagine a new future’ after COVID-19 — Green Bay Press Gazette
Madison Latino Consortium steps in to provide safety net, cash to undocumented families — The Cap Times
If COVID-19 cases surge again, quickly implementing social distancing steps will ease outbreaks, study finds — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Bars and restaurants in the city of Milwaukee will be allowed to reopen at 2 p.m. Friday, mayor says — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin farmers could receive up To $3.5K through coronavirus aid program — WPR
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Government updates
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
U.S. Centers and Disease Control and Prevention
Quotable
“The uncertainties from the COVID-19 crisis are very daunting, and I understand the decision and I support the decision, and it’s an unfortunate decision…I think everybody would love to see Summerfest. It creates a lot of jobs for young people, and that’s something that we need right now.”
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, speaking to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel following the cancellation of Summerfest due to COVID-19.
Data to note
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reported 66 active COVID-19 investigations of nursing homes as of Thursday, and 20 additional investigations are closed. In Wisconsin, just one case of a staff member or resident testing positive for COVID-19 triggers a facility-wide investigation of a nursing home.
The data do not include nursing homes with fewer than 10 beds or homes where investigations are closed.
Residents of nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 infections. Long-term care facilities, which include nursing homes and assisted living facilities, account for 5% of the state’s confirmed COVID-19 cases and 43% of deaths during the pandemic, according to DHS.
DHS reported 19,892 total confirmed COVID-19 cases through Thursday (12,980 are recoveries) and 626 deaths.
Resilient Wisconsin
People helping others and showing resilience during this time of anxiety. Send suggestions by tagging us on social media — @wisconsinwatch — or emailing us: tips@wisconsinwatch.org.
On State Street, fresh murals brighten boarded storefronts — The Cap Times
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The nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism (wisconsinwatch.org) collaborates with Wisconsin Public Radio, PBS Wisconsin, other news media and the UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. All works created, published, posted or disseminated by the Center do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of UW-Madison or any of its affiliates.
