Representatives of the Village of Allouez were at the capitol in Madison Tuesday to talk about the future of the Green Bay Correctional Institution.
Village President Jim Rafter has been vocal in his calls for the closing of the prison due to the age of the building and inmate living conditions.
Assemblyman Shae Sortwell of Two Rivers attended the roundtable discussion yesterday, and he noted that bipartisan discussions have been happening for years regarding the building, but no agreements have been reached.
However, he also said, “Due to the budget surplus our state has been in this fiscal cycle, a plan to close GBCI and build a new prison has never had a better opportunity.”
Sortwell continued in a written statement, saying, “GBCI is on its last legs. Its closure appears inevitable sooner rather than later. Northeastern Wisconsin needs a new prison. Having no plan for a replacement is irresponsible and will create a public safety crisis that can easily be avoided.”