Wisconsin Department of Corrections

Among the monarch butterflies migrating south this fall are those coming directly from Redgranite Correctional Institution. In 2025, the facility established a monarch butterfly habitat enclosure and pollinator gardens throughout the property. The program has become popular among residents, who care for the butterflies and perform other tasks including data collection and checking eggs and caterpillars. We are thankful to the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin for its support, as well as staff and residents for helping monarchs and other pollinators. 🦋 Learn more about the program and its impact: https://lnkd.in/gw2vmpWr

Milwaukee-area veterans: Stop by the Wisconsin State Government booth at Thursday's Veteran/Military Job Fair! Held at Milwaukee County War Memorial Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Thursday, Oct. 1, staff can provide more details on working for the State — including #wicorrections — answer questions, and review your resume. We look forward to meeting you!

FSTS Group 4️⃣ 2️⃣ 0️⃣ Last week, we celebrated the graduation of our newest uniformed officers during a ceremony at Madison College. The group learned essential skills like safety and security practices, communication, de-escalation techniques, and more. In addition to classroom training, those completing the Facility Staff Training & Support (FSTS) program also participate in weekly on-the-job training. As part of this class, we also welcomed 33 youth counselors who will join the Southeast Regional Care Center for Youth opening this fall. Learn more about this group and the project here: https://lnkd.in/g9F3CsDA Please join us in thanking our graduates for their commitment to public service and the safety of Wisconsin communities!

The success of one of us, is the success of all of us. That is how Maddie Fingerson describes her work as a probation and parole agent in Madison.  Maddie’s path to becoming an agent started with an internship with the Division of Community Corrections. After her graduation from UW-Madison, she became a full-time agent and works in the sex offender unit. In 2025, Maddie started working with Justice-Involved Women training team to teach #WICorrections staff more effective ways to supervise female clients using gender-responsive strategies. “It was inspiring watching her work with clients, and the level of compassion and empathy she showed for them despite whatever they were going through. I knew that if I became an agent, she was exactly the kind of agent I wanted to be,” Maddie added. “Female clients have different pathways into the criminal justice system than males, so by recognizing these and addressing these pathways in addition to working on interventions, we hope to more effectively reduce female clients’ risks to reoffend,” she said.  Maddie became an agent because she hopes to help end the cycle of victimization in our communities. You can join her! Learn how at wj.wi.gov/20865.  

For Da'Quela Payne, #corrections is in her blood. Her uncle became the first African American #juvenile #probation agent in Rock County and her mother retired as an agent after 23 years of service. Following in their footsteps, she honors them in her work as a probation and #parole #agent every day. “I wear many hats—social worker, counselor, financial planner, attorney and many more,” she says. “We are involved in literally every aspect of our clients’ lives.” Often the first contact for an individual upon their release, Da'Quela recognizes the opportunity these moments represent. “Sometimes, we are all they have in the community. I show each client that I am invested in their successful #reentry.” Though her role in #WICorrections is both challenging and rewarding, she’s never had to choose between the demands of a #job and her family. “I have not missed a field trip, school play, or anything important since becoming an agent. I am extremely grateful this #career has allowed for work-life balance.” Ready to begin your career in community corrections? Apply today to join our dedicated team across the State of Wisconsin: wj.wi.gov/20865

Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution (KMCI) hosted another successful Camp Reunite on Thursday, July 16. Fathers and their children spent the day playing pickleball, badminton, basketball, ping pong and crafting before enjoying a water balloon fight to cool off. “Any time you get with your children is precious. They’re only young for so long,” said one father. “It’s a shame they have to pay for our bad choices, so staff letting us spend time with them like this, and be dads, it’s hard for me to explain the feeling. It’s priceless.” KMCI has been hosting Camp Reunite since 2019. “I will never forget the people involved in this. Even though it’s in prison, this is like taking us out of prison. It’s good for us, and it’s good for them,” he added. #Wisconsin #corrections #WICorrections

⚠️ LOCAL ACADEMY BEGINS SEPT. 21 ⚠️ #WICorrections is currently accepting applications for Correctional Officer vacancies. Starting pay $35.37 per hour, plus excellent State of Wisconsin benefits and a nationally-ranked pension. Add-on pay is available at certain facilities. Apply today: wj.wi.gov/21365

CAMP REUNITE 💙 This week marked the first time Racine Correctional Institution hosted Camp Reunite, a summer camp experience for incarcerated parents and their children. Together they worked on crafts, played games, shared meals and simply had time to talk and reconnect. "It's a lot easier talking about things in person," said one camper. While they do speak on the phone, her father said seeing his daughter in person means so much more. "I cried. It’s amazing," he added. Beyond helping parents and children reconnect, the camp is designed to show youth impacted by incarceration that they are not alone. #Wisconsin #corrections #WICorrections #campreunite

FSTS Group 4️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ Yesterday, we celebrated the #graduation of our newest uniformed officers during a ceremony at Madison Area Technical College. Surrounded by family, friends, and peers, these graduates proudly received their badge and officially joined the #WICorrections team. The group has learned essential skills like safety and security practices, communication, de‑escalation techniques and more. In addition to classroom training, those completing the Facility Staff Training & Support (FSTS) program also participate in weekly on-the-job training. Please join us in thanking them for their commitment to public service and the safety of #Wisconsin communities!

STARS, STRIPES AND SMILES 🎆 The family event at New Lisbon Correctional Institution (NLCI) offered an afternoon of holiday fun for residents and their children. They played games and worked on crafts, enjoyed food trucks and ice cream sundaes, and took their photos together. “It’s hard for my son to talk on the phone or sit still. These holiday events allow us to spend more time together and do hands-on activities,” said one resident. His 13-year-old son attends all the special events #WICorrections offers so he can get one-on-one time with his father. In addition to Independence Day, NLCI offers these events around Halloween, Christmas, and Easter with the focus on strengthening family bonds.