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Bill > SB725

WI SB725

WI SB725
In-person visiting periods for inmates of state correctional institutions and county jails or houses of correction. (FE)

summary

Introduced
12/02/2025
In Committee
12/02/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill provides that any visitor to a state correctional institution or county jail or house of correction must be registered as a visitor of the inmate he or she is visiting and that an inmate may designate up to 25 individuals to be registered as his or her visitors. The bill outlines the process required to remove a visitor from an inmate’s registration list. The bill requires the Department of Corrections to allow each inmate of a state correctional institution and sheriffs to allow each inmate of a county jail or house of correction at least two in-person visiting periods per week unless the inmate is subject to a lockdown or is in solitary confinement. If the inmate is subject to a lockdown or is in solitary confinement, DOC or the sheriff may deny visits for a period not to exceed 10 consecutive days. The bill also requires the warden or superintendent of a state correctional institution or the sheriff for a county jail or house of correction to allow an inmate to physically embrace each visitor for at least 20 seconds at the beginning and end of each visiting period. The bill additionally requires the warden or superintendent of a state LRB-5491/1 CMH&MJW:ajk&klm 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 725 correctional institution or the sheriff for a county jail or house of correction to provide each visitor with paper, a pen or pencil, and crayons or markers to use during a visit and requires that inmates be allowed to keep an original note, drawing, or other original work if it was created during a visit using the materials that were provided by the warden, superintendent, or sheriff. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

AI Summary

This bill establishes new regulations for in-person visits in Wisconsin's state correctional institutions and county jails, aiming to standardize and improve visitation rights for inmates. The legislation requires that each inmate can register up to 25 visitors, and both inmates and visitors can request the removal of a visitor from the registration list, with any removal requiring a written explanation and an opportunity to appeal. Inmates in state correctional institutions and county jails will be guaranteed at least two in-person visiting periods per week, with an exception allowing visits to be denied for up to 10 consecutive days during a lockdown or solitary confinement. During these visits, inmates will be permitted to physically embrace visitors for a minimum of 20 seconds at the beginning and end of each visit. Additionally, wardens, superintendents, or sheriffs must provide visitors with writing materials (paper, pens/pencils, and crayons/markers) upon request, and inmates will be allowed to keep any original notes, drawings, or works created during the visit using these provided materials. The bill defines a "visitor" as any person visiting an inmate who is not an employee, volunteer, attorney, government official, or other specified professional, thereby focusing on personal connections and family/friend relationships.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (16)

Last Action

Representative Moore Omokunde added as a cosponsor (on 01/21/2026)
(1 Companion Bills)

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