Governor Scott Walker says inmates at the Lincoln Hills youth prison have become emboldened following repeated media reports and court-ordered operational changes. The governor made the comment in a memo to Corrections Secretary Jon Litscher, and obtained by WFDL news. The governor says since a court order in July limited the use of pepper spray and solitary confinement, there have been numerous examples of juvenile misconduct and assaults on staff. “We cannot allow individuals convicted of battery, armed robbery, and even murder to feel empowered to attack staff and each other in these institutions,” Walker said. The governor says these juvenile inmates are guilty of the most serious offenses in our criminal justice system. Walker says in the memo that the state budget makes significant investments in staff at the state’s youth prisons. He adds the State Building Commission approved investments of more than $2.5 million for infrastructure and security needs. “Clearly, the men and women who staff these facilities have challenging jobs, and we value their hard work and dedication,” Walker said.
