WE HAVE A BILLION DOLLAR DECISION TO MAKE

It is clear that Green Bay Correctional Institution (GBCI) is nearing the end of its useful life.  On May 3, 2019, the Legislative Audit Bureau reported that many believe its antiquated design is not conducive to the efficient operation of a modern prison. The report said also said that, among Wisconsin’s prisons, GBCI is the best candidate for closure. The Allouez Village Board voted unanimously for the distribution of a petition supporting the decommissioning of GBCI. After 121 years, GBCI is nearing the end of its useful life.

That means that Wisconsin’s Governor and State Legislature have a big decision to make. 

  • Will our state spend $1 billion over the next 20 years to build and operate a new prison, or will we join the states around the nation that are reducing their prison populations?
  • Will we spend $1 billion on yet another prison, or will we invest $1 billion over the next 20 years on programs that can uplift our people, reduce crime, and re-build our communities?

WISDOM believes, and has shown, that Wisconsin could safely reduce its prison population by far more than the capacity of GBCI in much less time than it would take to build a new prison.  That is why WISDOM calls for three things:

1. The closure of GBCI
2. A decision NOT to build a replacement prison
3. The investment of the savings in proven community-based programs that reduce violence and create positive opportunities for vulnerable young people.

To decommission GBCI without building a new prison would help Wisconsin to catch up to the progress being made by other states. To re-invest $50 million a year in programs of restoration would be a fiscally prudent step.

Please join us for a meeting to work on this:

Thursday, November 21st
6-8 pm,

St. Matthew Church
130 Saint Matthew Street, Green Bay WI

The November 21 gathering will discuss these issues, and will demonstrate that many Wisconsinites are calling for a new, common-sense approach to community safety.  At the end of the program we will walk over to GBCI itself for a brief prayer vigil.

We’re grateful to the JOSHUA organization, EXPO, and the WISDOM Prison Prevention Workgroup for planning this event.  This issue affects not just Green Bay, but every part of Wisconsin.  We hope many people from around the state can join us.

For more information you can read Pastor Marian Boyle’s Opinion Piece in the Green Bay Press Gazette here, or visit JOSHUA’s website here.

Click here for the facebook event page.

Click here to download a FLYER for Nov. 21

 

For more information: www.wisdomwisconsin.org