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WI AB733
WI AB733Recreational opportunities and structured programming for inmates in state correctional institutions and county jails and houses of correction. (FE)
summary
Introduced
12/03/2025
12/03/2025
In Committee
12/03/2025
12/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Department of Corrections to ensure that all state correctional institutions provide, and sheriffs to ensure that all county jails and houses of correction provide, recreational opportunities and organized, structured programming that is relevant to the interests and needs of the inmates being held in the state correctional institutions, jails, and houses of correction. The bill generally requires that when staffing levels meet or exceed 80 percent for officer staffing and structured programming staffing, each inmate is allowed at least 35 hours per week to engage in recreational opportunities and structured programming with an average of at least five total hours per day for such activities and programming, and if such staffing levels are less than 80 percent, each inmate is allowed at least 21 hours per week to engage in recreational opportunities and structured programming with an average of at least three total hours per day for such activities and programming. Of the 35 or 21 hours per week, each inmate must be allowed at least seven hours per week to engage in recreational opportunities and at least 14 hours per week to engage in structured programming, of which at least five hours must be structured programming other than work experience. Under the bill, these recreation and structured programming requirements apply to all inmates in a state correctional institution, and apply to inmates of a county jail beginning on the 91st day of the inmate’s confinement. For inmates of a county jail, there is no requirement to allow participation in recreation and structured programming for days 1 to 30 of the inmate’s confinement, and for days 31 to 90 of the inmate’s confinement, the inmate must be allowed at least 10 hours per week to engage in recreational opportunities and structured programming. Under the bill, recreation and structured programming privileges may be denied to any inmate of a state correctional institution or county jail for a period of up to 10 consecutive days if the inmate is subject to a partial or full prison or jail lockdown or is currently being held in solitary confinement. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill requires the Department of Corrections and county sheriffs to provide comprehensive recreational opportunities and structured programming for inmates in state correctional institutions and county jails. The bill mandates that when staffing levels are at or above 80 percent, inmates must be allowed 35 hours per week of activities, including at least 7 hours of recreational time and 14 hours of structured programming (with 5 hours dedicated to non-work activities). If staffing levels are below 80 percent, the required time is reduced to 21 hours per week, maintaining the same proportions of recreational and structured programming. For county jails, these requirements differ slightly: no programming is required for the first 30 days of confinement, 10 hours per week are required between days 31-90, and full programming begins on the 91st day. The structured programming must prioritize areas such as academic instruction, vocational training, career development, reentry planning, behavioral health, and other rehabilitative activities. The bill also allows facilities to suspend recreational and programming privileges for up to 10 consecutive days during lockdowns or if an inmate is in solitary confinement. This legislation aims to provide inmates with meaningful opportunities for personal development and skill-building during their incarceration.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (18)
Margaret Arney (D)*,
Mike Bare (D)*,
Ryan Clancy (D)*,
Karen DeSanto (D)*,
Francesca Hong (D)*,
Alex Joers (D)*,
Darrin Madison (D)*,
Vincent Miresse (D)*,
Greta Neubauer (D)*,
Christian Phelps (D)*,
Pricilla Prado (D)*,
Christine Sinicki (D)*,
Shelia Stubbs (D)*,
Angelito Tenorio (D)*,
Dora Drake (D),
Sarah Keyeski (D),
Chris Larson (D),
Kelda Roys (D),
Last Action
Representative Moore Omokunde added as a coauthor (on 01/21/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab733 |
| Fiscal Note - AB733: Fiscal Estimate From DOC | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab733/ab733_doc.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB733.pdf |
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