Wisconsin’s record high prison population is not just a capacity problem, advocates say

By: Isiah Holmes

Outlets: Wisconsin Examiner

Published: September 1, 2026

Words: 1,622

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

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According to Wisconsin Department of Corrections statistics, the state’s prison population hit a new record high last week. As of Aug. 28, there were 23,854 people housed across adult prisons in Wisconsin. The figure surpasses the last record, set in 2019, and raises questions about whether and how the state will take steps to address its chronically overcrowded prison problem.

The record high was first reported by Wisconsin Watch, …

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