Gov. Evers Tours Lincoln Hills Youth Prison

Lincoln Hills Youth Prison (Midwest Communications)
Lincoln Hills Youth Prison (Midwest Communications)

IRMA, WI (WSAU) -- Friday, Governor Tony Evers toured the Lincoln Hills Youth Prison.

One of Governor Ever's top priorities for his first week in office was to visit troubled youth prison Lincoln Hills. Evers accomplished that priority this afternoon as he toured the facility and Copper Lake Schools. The tour was the first time in eight years a sitting governor has visited a state prison.

Former Governor Scott Walker did not step inside any state prison during his time in office. The last governor to visit a state prison before today was Governor Jim Doyle during his term from 2003 to 2011. Nine years ago Governor Doyle consolidated the two youth prisons, Lincoln Hills and Ethan Allen into one.

At Governor Evers stop in Wausau on Thursday, his staff said he would not speak with the media at any point during the tour. One of Evers campaign goals was to reform the youth criminal justice system. It was one of the main topics at the first meeting of his administrations Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Policy Advisory Council.

Lincoln Hills is set to be closed in favor of smaller regional facilities. That is left over from Scott Walker's administration and time as Governor.

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