JFC considers request to add staff at women’s prison

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A Wisconsin women’s prison could soon receive a new full-time staff member to help assess the effectiveness of its substance-abuse programs.

The Department of Corrections requested a new full-time, permanent position to support substance-use programs at Taycheedah Correctional Institution in Fond du Lac. The Department of Administration approved the request and sent it to the Joint Committee on Finance last week.

The new hire would serve as a program and policy analyst who would collect and analyze data. The request said the prison had been using contracted providers to provide the programs, but staffing vacancies have forced it to shift responsibilities onto current staff.

The request budgets about $81,100 for the position, an amount that will pay for salary, fringe benefits, supplies and services. The money would come from the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant from the Department of Health Services. The grant requires the prison to track the program’s relapse rates and reasons for relapse, along with observing facilitators and taking other quality-assurance measures.

The JFC has until Jan. 15 to decide if it wants to hold a formal session about the request. If no action is taken, the position will be approved on Jan. 17. Follow @WLJReporter