MADISON (NBC 26) — The Joint Committee on Finance announced a proposal to include a decommissioning date for the Green Bay Correctional Institution in the state budget, according to local politicians in a news release.
The proposal mandates GBCI to be closed by the end of 2029, persuading the state to implement a plan for the closure in this time frame.
“The Joint Committee on Finance is taking a tremendous leap toward the necessary and final closure of GBCI.” said Rep. Franklin. “Formalizing a decommissioning date into state law will ensure decisive action is taken to solve this longstanding issue and prevent the bureaucratic delays which have plagued this situation for far too long.”
The provision will be included in the state budget that will be brought before both chambers and eventually sent to the Governor's desk, according to the release. It will become official state law upon the signing of the budget pending a partial veto.
“GBCI is an unsafe, unstable, and unsustainable facility.” Rep. Steffen said. “While it has taken nearly a decade, I’m incredibly thankful we are moving forward now on closing the prison.”
Jim Rafter, the president for the Village of Allouez — where the prison is located — released a statement on Tuesday following the announcement.
“GBCI is failing. Today’s news by lawmakers is a commendable step in seeing that the facility closes, and I thank them for their action. As the Joint Finance Committee meets today to finalize the state budget, the State of Wisconsin stands at a crossroads. A failure to include the closure of the Green Bay Correctional Institution in the final version of this bill that the governor signs is not just a missed opportunity — it is a blatant dismissal of the public’s will and a dangerous refusal to act in the best interests of our state," stated Rafter. “Let me be unequivocal: any budget that does not include the closure of GBCI is unacceptable. GBCI is a century-old, obsolete, overcrowded facility that puts staff, incarcerated individuals, and surrounding neighborhoods at risk. Its continued operation wastes taxpayer money, hinders progress, and places a burden on the Village of Allouez that we should no longer be expected to carry."
