The State of Wisconsin has been trying to close and relocate the youth prison site in Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake for some time now. It is located 30 miles north of Wausau right now. Governor Evers recently announced a site on the northwest side of Milwaukee would be the next location. The Common Council has to vote on the new location and approve it. $42 million dollars has been set a side for the new facility. The new location would be at 7930 W. Clinton Ave, a light industrial area. “The city of Milwaukee recognizes the incredible importance of not allowing delays in this project and the end goal of bringing kids closer to home,” Common Council President Jose Perez said in a press release.
There are several steps that remain before the prison can be approved and actually built. This includes among steps a public hearing, and rezoning approval by the city. Governor Evers and Governor Walker before him have both been trying to close and relocate the current facility. State Sen. Lena Taylor , said the move would improve youth corrections in the state. “We are uniquely positioned to house this facility. We can bring theses youth closer to home and provide them the rehabilitative services they need,” she said in a statement.
Many people are happy with the new location because some were talking about the location at the current Felmers O. Chaney Correctional Center. That is a state-run facility on Milwaukee northside for men nearing the end of their prison sentences. The Chaney Center is considered vital to help men successfully reintegrate back into society. Several other locations have been considered in the past but this one has come out on top. Most of the other locations have had a lot of opposition every time a site has been named.
This is a very important decision that has to be made over the new facility and the future of many youth mostly from the city of Milwaukee. It will be easier for families to visit their members and not travel hours upon hours to far out locations. Overall this should make it easier for everyone involved in the process.
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