Commission approves $15M DOC realignment planning funds after members reject conditional motion

The State Building Commission approved the Department of Corrections’ request to release $15,000,000 in Building Trust Funds for preliminary planning and a Design Report for a DOC Realignment project on Oct. 28, 2025, and authorized use of an alternative Construction Manager delivery method consistent with Wis. Stat. §13.48(19)(a).

Senator André Jacque moved a revised motion that would have approved the planning release only if the Department of Corrections added specified projects to the planning scope — including expansion of Taycheedah Correctional Institution, expansion of medium and minimum security beds at Jackson Correctional Institution, and a requirement to close Green Bay Correctional Institution no later than Dec. 31, 2029. That revised motion failed on recorded votes. After the revised motion failed, Senator Brad Pfaff moved, and Representative Jill Billings seconded, to approve the original, unconditional request. The commission recorded approval of the original request.

The transcript records the revised motion text and its failure followed by approval of the original request; it does not record further conditions or a new timeline for any facility closures. The commission’s action releases funds for planning and design work only; it does not authorize construction, expansions or facility closures. Department of Corrections staff were authorized to proceed with preliminary plans and the required Design Report using the released planning funds.

Next steps: the Department of Corrections will develop preliminary plans and specifications under standard SBC reporting and procurement rules; any proposal to expand facilities or to close a facility would require separate, future approvals by the appropriate governing bodies.