Wisconsin Department of Corrections (WI DOC) Inmate Search

There is a lot of history behind the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Lets take a journey back to the beginning and through some of the fundamental years.

In the year 1851, members of the commission make the decision based on the closeness to transportation as well as the easy access to materials for building that a prison in Waupan was smart and necessary. Once that was decided a temporary building was constructed and held just 40 beds. In 1852 a prison commissioner was found in Henry Brown. By the end of that same year the facility had 27 inmates, 2 females among them.

Than in 1854 the South Cell Hall of the prison is finished with 288 cells to house present and future inmates. By the end of the year there are 5 female prisoners and 66 males, make a total of 72 prisoners. In 1867 an increase of prisoners made the building of the North Hall a must, which added 240 cells, with a grand total of 588 cells and 180 male prisoners.

In the year 1873 the prison is placed under the supervision of the State Board of Directers when the elected office of State Prison Commissioner is terminated, a warden is than appointed. After lots of shifting the 1967 Reorganization Act transfers the Division to the Department of Health and Social Services, eventually becoming its own department in 1990.

In 1938 John C. Burke is made Warden, he is fundamental in abolishing the Silent System, allowing inmates to see visitors, shave themselves, and attend parole school, he also had lights installed in cells. In 1963 the structure of the prison administration undergoes a change from warden and deputy warden to warden with 3 departments each one headed by an associate warden.

Although this is just a brief history of the administration history of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections there is so much more history to be explored.