Difference Between Wisconsin Prison and Federal Prison

What is the Difference Between Federal Prison and Wisconsin State Prison?

Prisons are part of the criminal justice system at the state and federal levels. The agency that handles the prison system in Wisconsin is the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Federal prisons are situated within Wisconsin but are under the Federal Bureau of Prisons management. A few differences exist between them:

A federal prison houses persons serving sentences because of federal crimes. On the other hand, state prisons house persons serving sentences because they violated the Wisconsin Criminal Code. Occasionally, federal prisoners in transit get to stay in state facilities.
Federal crimes usually bear the signature of multi-state involvement or the participation of federal agencies. It is different for Wisconsin as the crime committed involves the state of Wisconsin alone. Therefore the decision to serve time in the state prison is solely that of the state justice system.
Another key difference is that state prison systems provide more platforms for reviewing a prisoner's sentence to a shorter term. The federal prison system is less flexible, so inmates tend to complete their sentences unless they get a federal government pardon.
Although the security systems of Wisconsin state prisons and federal systems are relatively similar, the differentiating factor is in the type of prisoners that usually occupy the facilities. State prisons often house more violent prisoners than federal prison systems. There is a relationship between this finding and the definitions of crime in both criminal codes.

The Wisconsin Prison System

The Wisconsin State Department of Corrections (WDOC) is responsible for the accommodation, reformation, and welfare of persons placed in custody because of an imprisonment sentence. The department works closely with the criminal justice system to administer prison sentences to convicted individuals.

Recent prison statistics from the National Bureau of Justice show that Wisconsin correctional institutions housed 24064 inmates. This value includes persons held in custody by private prisons or in local county jails.

There are 24 prison facilities situated in different parts of the state. The WDOC grades each institution's security level to meet the requirements for different housing classifications of offenders. There are facilities for nonviolent offenders. The scale runs right up through to the most violent offenders. These classifications define movement restrictions, the security of structure, the number of security staff, and routines.

How to Lookup Inmates in Wisconsin

Interested parties can search for Wisconsin inmate records or find an incarcerated inmate using the name or number options on the inmate locator page. Here, an inquirer may search for an inmate using the individual's name or the identification number given to the individual upon admission into the facility. Number searches are more reliable: no two persons have the same identification number.

There are clear regulations per visiting an inmate or sending welfare packages. All persons wishing to visit must be listed on the inmate-approved visitors list. Underage visitors (persons under the age of 18) must get the consent of a non-imprisoned parent or legal guardian. Their visits must be with consent from an adult on the inmate's approved visitors' list unless the minor is the inmate's lawful spouse. There are rules about conducting oneself when paying a visit to an inmate. See the visiting information page for more information.

All packages and mails must bear the inmates' full names, their WDOC identification number, and a return address. Parties wishing to send money may do so using agency-approved third-party transaction platforms. These platforms accept deposits through their website, mail, in-person, or phone calls. Otherwise, complete the Wisconsin DOC money order or check deposit form. Write the inmate's DOC number. Make checks or money orders payable to access secure deposits. Mail the form and the check or money order to:

Wisconsin Department of Corrections
P.O. Box 12486
Saint Louis MO 63132

All packages of property to be sent to an inmate must meet the requirements of the WDOC. It is the responsibility of the inmates to inform their family and friends of these requirements. For more information, see the general information page. There are 24 adult prison facilities in Wisconsin. Here are the addresses:

Chippewa Valley Correctional Treatment Facility
2909 E. Park Ave.
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Phone: (715) 720-2850
Fax: (715) 720-2859

Columbia Correctional Institution
2925 Columbia Dr
Portage, WI 53901-0950
Phone: (608) 742-9100
Fax: (608) 742-9111

Dodge Correctional Institution
1 W. Lincoln Str
Waupun, WI 53963
Phone: (920) 324-5577
Phone: (920) 324-6354
Fax: (920) 324-6281 Reception

Fox Lake Correctional Institution
W10237 Lake Emily Rd
Fox Lake, WI 53933
Phone: (920) 928-3151
Fax: (920) 928-6929

Green Bay Correctional Institution
2833 Riverside Dr
Green Bay, WI 54307
Phone: (920) 432-4877
Fax: (920) 448-6545

Jackson Correctional Institution
N6500 Haipek Rd
Black River Falls, WI 54615
Phone: (715) 284-4550
Fax: (715) 284-7335

Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution
W9071 Forest Dr
Glenbeulah, WI 53023
Phone: (920) 526-3244
(920) 526-9320

Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility
1015 N. 10th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53205
Phone: (414) 212-3535
Fax: (414) 212-6811

New Lisbon Correctional Institution
2000 Progress Rd
New Lisbon, WI 53950
Phone: (608) 562-6400
Fax: (608) 562-6410

Oakhill Correctional Institution
5212 County Hwy. M
Oregon, WI 53575-0140
Phone: (608) 835-3101
Fax: (608) 835-6090

Oshkosh Correctional Institution
1730 W. Snell Rd
P.O. Box 3530
Oshkosh, WI 54903
Phone: (920) 231-4010
Fax: (920) 236-2615/2626

Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution
500 E. Parrish St.
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
Phone: (608) 326-7828
Fax: (608) 326-5969

Racine Correctional Institution
2019 Wisconsin St.
Sturtevant, WI 53177
Phone: (262) 886-3214
Fax: (262) 886-3514

Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility
1501 Albert St.
Racine, WI 53404-0001
Phone: (262) 638-1999
Fax: (262) 638-1777

Redgranite Correctional Institution
1006 County Rd EE
Redgranite, WI 54970
Phone: (920) 566-2600
Fax: (920) 566-2610

Stanley Correctional Institution
100 Corrections Dr
Stanley, WI 54768-6500
Phone: (715) 644-2960
Fax: (715) 644-2966

Sturtevant Transitional Facility
9351 Rayne Rd
Sturtevant, WI 53177
Phone: (262) 884-2410
Fax: (262) 886-6069

Waupun Correctional Institution
200 S. Madison St.
Waupun, WI 53963
Phone: (920) 324-5571
Fax: (920) 324-7250

Wisconsin Secure Program Facility
1101 Morrison Dr
Boscobel, WI 53805
Phone: (608) 375-5656
Fax: (608) 375-5595

Taycheedah Correctional Institution
751 County Rd K
Fond du Lac, WI 54936
Phone: (920) 929-3800
Fax: (920) 929-2946

Milwaukee Women's Correctional Center
615 West Keefe Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
Phone: (414) 267-6101
Fax: (414) 267-6130

Robert E. Ellsworth Correctional Center
21425-A Spring St.
Union Grove, WI 53182
Phone: (262) 878-6000
(262) 878-6015

Wisconsin County Jails

Seventy-four jail facilities serve the 72 counties in Wisconsin. Local jail facilities are under the management of the law enforcement departments of each county or city. Local jails are temporary detention centers for state suspects awaiting trial or persons arrested for misdemeanors. Parties found guilty of violating local ordinances and deserving of incarceration are placed in jail. Although definite values for jail populations in the last 12 months are unavailable for Wisconsin, there are clear indications that there has been a steady rise of inmates in local jails across the state in the previous 5 to 6 years.

There are general rules for all incarceration facilities that regulate visitation and sending packages to inmates. Contact the local law enforcement department managing the facility to get specific information about the local county jail of interest.

How Does the Federal Prison System Work?

The Federal Prison System is an arm of the Department of Justice that the Federal Bureau of Prisons manages. The agency is a federal law enforcement unit responsible for enforcing incarceration sentences handed to convicts by the federal justice system. The federal criminal code (Title 18 of the United States Code) gives interpretations and procedures about federal crimes. Several investigation agencies work closely with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Their involvement reflects on the identification numbers of the involved federal convicts. These agencies include:

There are 122 correctional institutions managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, including Wisconsin. There are male-only medium-security correctional institutions and a minimum-security satellite camp. The current population is 930 inmates in both facilities. Federal prisons in Wisconsin are under the North Central Region of the Federal Prison System. Here is the address:

County Rd G & Elk Ave
Oxford, WI 53952
Email: OXF-ExecAssistant@bop.gov
Phone: (608) 584-5511

To send mail to an inmate, use the following addresses:

Inmate Name & Register Number
FCI Oxford
Federal Correctional Institution
P.O. Box 1000
Oxford, WI 53952

The camp address is as follows:

Inmate Name & Register Number
FCI Oxford
Federal Correctional Institution
Satellite Camp
P.O. Box 1085
Oxford, WI 53952