GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The state's largest employees' union raises safety concerns about the governor's budget proposal to eliminate tower guards overnight at Wisconsin prisons.
Republican Scott Walker's proposed two-year budget would cut 60 jobs in the Corrections Department, and about 400 jobs throughout state government. Walker recommended technology and ground patrolling to secure prisons during the third shift.
State Employees' Union director Marty Beil tells FOX 11 that several inmates have tried escaping during the third shift, and were stopped by guards keeping watch from the towers.
The Corrections' agency told the TV station it's confident that its staff will implement the plan without risk to either the public or internal safety. Officials said the idea has been brought up since the mid-1990's -- and it's being looked at by others nationwide.
Corrections' officials called it a "question of modern technology (and) innovations related to prison design, versus historical precedence." It said towers were included in nearly every prison design from the 1800's through the late 1900's.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)