Wisconsin State Reformatory

Images of America: Wisconsin

by Michael E. Telzrow, Neville Public Museum of Brown County

In 1897, the Wisconsin state legislature approved the creation of the Wisconsin State Reformatory on a 200-acre site between Green Bay and De Pere. It was born during a period of profound change when liberal reformers began to question the traditional punitive approach employed in American prisons. The result was a shift from a punishment-based system to one that favored progressive rehabilitation within the framework of the traditional prison model. Elmira, New York, may have served as the reformatory model, but no other state embraced the idea more fully than Wisconsin. For more than 50 years, the Wisconsin State Reformatory remained faithful to the reform mission, adapting to changes when necessary but always maintaining a strong link to its past.

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 2010

Reviews

[kaweewah · Rating 1 out of 5]

One star because pictures are interesting.

The book makes multiple claims without backing them up in any way. It talks about discipline is “severe” at GBCI, but also different than “arbitrary brutalities that are common” at other facilities (with no explanation of this).

Also when talking about GBCI: “Indeed, its ability to adapt and change when necessary remains the defining characteristic of the institution.” ……. Hm!

Looks like the year this book was published, there were multiple civil right violation allegations and lawsuits.

Seems like…not a lot of adapting and changing happening here!

[Michael Bertrand · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a picture book of the history of the Wisconsin State Reformatory. The facility still exists. It's now known as the Green Bay Correctional Institution. Pictures in the book cover the years from founding in the 1890s to the 1970s. Most of the pictures are from the 30s and 40s.

Only criticism I have is that the commentary that accompanies the photos:

1. understates violence at the prison, especially during the early history.

Considered untrained by today's standards, [early 20th century] guards ... relied on the cane and a just measure of pain to compel inmate compliance. (...) Discipline at the reformatory remained severe, particularly prior to the 1950s, but in practice it generally differed from the arbitrary brutality common at penitentiaries of the period. (31)

2. Overstates how much locals liked the Reformatory.

The local population looked upon the Reformatory as a good neighbor. Frequent public concerts and interaction with inmate farm workers (...) removed any sense of concern about the location of penal institution near neighboring farms and homes. (47)

The final chapter shows photos of the 1971 prison riot at the Reformatory. Clearly things weren't as rosy as the comments lead the reader to believe.

[Zach Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great info! Learned a lot.