Wisconsin’s Aging Prison Population Exposes Systemic Failures as State Rarely Grants Compassionate Release
MADISON, WISCONSIN — As Wisconsin’s prisons fill with older, ailing inmates, state officials face mounting criticism for granting compassionate release to only a handful of prisoners each year, even as costs and medical demands soar.
A new joint investigation by Wisconsin Watch and The New York Times reveals that Wisconsin courts approved just 53 of 489 compassionate release petitions between 2019 and mid-2025 — about 11% overall, averaging fewer than eight per year.
Advocates say the system’s narrow eligibility rules and bureaucratic roadblocks keep even terminally ill inmates locked up long past the point of public safety risk.
“The door is closed to so many people right at the very beginning,” said Mary Price, senior counsel for Families Against Mandatory Minimums. “They’re the most expensive people to incarcerate and the least likely to reoffend.”
Aging Behind Bars
Wisconsin’s prison population has ballooned to over 23,500 inmates, far exceeding capacity. One in ten prisoners is now 60 or older, many suffering from cancer, heart disease, or dementia.
The state’s truth-in-sentencing law, enacted in 2000, virtually eliminated parole for newer convictions and extended post-release supervision — leaving many inmates aging behind bars with little chance for early release.
By the end of 2024, Wisconsin prisons held over 2,100 people over age 60, nearly triple the count from a decade ago.
Dr. Farah Kaiksow, of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, said that overcrowding and poor prison healthcare accelerate aging and health decline.
“Assigning more people to a room than they’re supposed to affects your sleep, stress, and access to care,” she explained.
Few Compassionate Releases, Even for the Dying
Prisoners can request compassionate release if they have a terminal illness or severe physical limitations, but Wisconsin’s law bars eligibility for those convicted of Class A or B felonies — including many elderly inmates with violent crimes from decades ago.
That includes Carmen Cooper, 80, a wheelchair-bound inmate suffering from Parkinson’s disease, recurrent cancer, and chronic pain. Despite two medical affidavits supporting release, Cooper’s conviction class makes him permanently ineligible.
“If we got five years, 10 years, or two years left with him, we want all of them,” said his daughter Qumine Hunter. “He deserves to die with family.”
Law professor Renagh O’Leary, who represents inmates seeking early release, said the process itself is deeply flawed. Petitions must first pass a Corrections Department committee before reaching a judge, creating unnecessary delays.
“These are questions of liberty,” O’Leary said. “They belong in a courtroom, not behind closed doors.”
Healthcare and Staffing Strain the System
Wisconsin has spent millions expanding prison healthcare, including a new $7 million assisted-living wing at Oakhill Correctional Institution and hospice programs in Oshkosh, Taycheedah, and Dodge.
Yet the system remains short-staffed and underqualified. Nearly one-third of state prison doctors hired over the past decade had prior disciplinary or malpractice records, according to Wisconsin Watch.
“We’ve hired physicians who faced prior sanctions for prescription forgery or negligence,” the report said.
Recent criminal charges against nurses at Waupun Correctional Institution over inmate deaths have intensified calls for oversight.
Other States Show a Way Forward
California — once known for a slow and restrictive process — now approves around 100 compassionate releases per year, often within a month of filing.
Hospice director Dr. Michele DiTomas said the overhaul was built on collaboration and compassion.
“We can give people their humanity and preserve public safety,” she said. “It’s not one or the other.”
Wisconsin, meanwhile, approved only five petitions in all of 2024, despite rising healthcare costs and severe overcrowding.
A Costly, Unsustainable System
The state projects per-prisoner health costs will climb to $6,500 annually by 2026, while overall incarceration costs reach $50,000 per inmate each year.
Advocates say expanding compassionate release would save taxpayer money and reduce medical strain without compromising public safety.
“Older inmates are not reoffending,” Price said. “We’re spending millions to incarcerate people who can barely walk.”
With Wisconsin’s prison population aging faster than the system can adapt, experts warn that reform is no longer optional — it’s urgent. For ongoing coverage of Wisconsin justice, healthcare, and reform efforts, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.