Vendor Fiasco: Wisconsin Inmates Left Without Access to Food and Essentials

Recently, Wisconsin’s online money transfer system for prisoners faced a major shutdown. This left many inmates unable to access funds for basic items like food and hygiene products.

The system is run by Access Corrections, a private company contracted by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Families use the app, website, phone calls, and even in-person visits to send money. However, people reported issues with deposits starting that week.

When trying to access the website or app, users encountered a blank screen with the message: “Sorry, the service you’re looking for is currently unavailable.” Those who called were greeted with an automated message stating that deposits could not be made and that the company was working to fix the issue. In-person deposits across the state were also halted, leaving many worried about how their loved ones would cope.

Access Corrections is part of the Keefe Group, which manages similar systems nationwide. Unfortunately, they have a history of technical problems. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has indicated these issues are not new, as many families have struggled to stay connected due to glitches in services like phone calls and electronic tablets for inmates.

Robin Guenterberg is one parent affected by this system failure. He regularly sends his daughter at Taycheedah Correctional Institution about $300 each month. She uses this money primarily for commissary items, as she has a chronic health issue. “She relies on those extra meals to stay healthy,” Guenterberg said. He is concerned that without access to funds, she may struggle to maintain her weight, as she has lost over 20 pounds since entering prison.

Others, like Sarah Liebzeit, experienced partial success. She managed to add funds to her son’s account but faced problems with the electronic tablet he uses. “This is just another issue we’ve had with the tablets,” she shared, highlighting ongoing failures in digital communication tools meant to connect inmates with their families.

Nicole Johnson described her boyfriend’s situation as dire. He earns just $20 every two weeks while working a prison job, but co-pays for medical visits are among the highest in the country, often consuming most of his income. “I try to send him money so he can buy essentials. It makes me sad that I can’t support him during this outage,” she lamented.

Expert opinions on these issues emphasize the need for better systems. Dr. David Brown, a criminologist, stated, “The reliance on private companies for essential services in prisons can lead to significant gaps in care for inmates.” He added that consistent funding and improvements in technology could help prevent these kinds of shutdowns in the future.

In the larger context, service failures like these highlight systemic issues in corrections that impact not just inmates but their families as well. A recent survey indicated that over **60%** of families with incarcerated loved ones experience communication barriers, which can cause emotional distress and strain relationships.

The shutdown of Access Corrections serves as a reminder of the importance of reliable communication and financial support systems in prisons. Until these issues are resolved, families and inmates alike will continue to face uncertainty and hardship.

For more insights on this topic, check out additional reports from Wisconsin Watch.

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