Wisconsin Prison officals, union call for budget with full funding for corrections

[Greg]

Posted September 25, 2007

Wisconsin Prison officals, union call for budget with full funding for corrections | Oshkosh Northwestern

By Amanda M. Wimmer
of The Northwestern

State and union officials gathered Monday at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution to urge the state Legislature to approve a budget that fully funds the state corrections system.

Rep. Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh, said he opposes the budget crafted by Assembly Republicans because it would cut more than 150 positions and leave the Department of Corrections with a $20 million hole in unfunded overtime.

Hintzcalled on the Legislature to pass a budget that adequately staffs and compensates employees who manage offenders.

"I appreciate the hard work done by corrections," Hintz said.

The Oshkosh Correctional Institute has a $30 million budget, 510 employees and is the largest prison in the system with more than 2,000 inmates, but Smith says it's nearly impossible to plan for things like employee over time without knowing just how much money they will receive.

"The employees at this institution do a good job," said Judy Smith, warden at the Oshkosh Correctional Institute. "Without a state budget it's difficult to plan but we obviously have to keep operating."

Todd Finch, vice president of AFSCME Local 3409, said he and the union are frustrated that the state has not yet passed a budget.

"We have a duty and a responsibility to run these institutions," Finch said. "Someone in Madison swiping a pen to take (money) away won't work."

Wisconsin is the only state with a July budget deadline that has not finalized its budget.

Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Rick Raemisch also called on lawmakers to pass a budget that is fair for correctional institution employees.

"We need to come together to keep Wisconsin safe," said Raemisch. "We need a budget."

Amanda M. Wimmer: (920) 426-6632 or awimmer@thenorthwestern.com.