Lincoln Hills, Copper Lake Schools complete reforms ordered after child abuse scandals
MADISON, Wis. -- Operations at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools, Wisconsin's youth prison facilities, are once again in full compliance with 50 court-ordered reforms put in place after a lawsuit stemming from child abuse allegations.
Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections first announced in October 2025 that the facilities were in full compliance, and a second report released Wednesday maintained that compliance.
Among the reforms put in place were an end to punitive solitary confinement and limiting the use of pepper spray. The DOC was also ordered to stop the use of mechanical restraints and strip searches.
"This has been a goal a decade in the making, and it’s tremendous to be able to celebrate the completion of reforms at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake schools today," Evers said. "This is a win for our state, a win for youth in our care, and a win for those who dedicate their time and energy to supporting the needed advancement of our justice system."
The reforms were ordered as part of a consent decree that the DOC agreed to when settling a 2017 lawsuit with the American Civil Liberties Union. Now, the DOC is asking a federal court to end that consent decree.
