Court orders DOC to allow Archdiocese of Milwaukee to resume religious services in prisons

Hope Karnopp
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Department of Corrections must allow clergy from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to access prisons to provide religious services in state prisons, a judge ordered.

MADISON - A judge has ordered that the state Department of Corrections must allow the Archdiocese of Milwaukee access to prisons to provide religious services for inmates. 

Jefferson County Circuit Judge William Hue found Friday that state statutes require the DOC to afford clergy an opportunity at least once a week to conduct religious services within correctional facilities. 

“The Department of Corrections cannot ignore the Legislature’s command that clergy have a privileged right of access to its facilities for purposes of ministering to the needs of Wisconsin’s inmates. We are grateful for the Court’s action today, which will ensure that meaningful religious services can be timely offered," Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty Deputy Counsel Anthony LoCoco said. 

On Monday, the judge signed a writ that requires the DOC to allow clergy members of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to conduct in-person religious services at least once a week.

DOC Secretary Kevin Carr said the department will comply with the order and said correctional institutions have been instructed to extend the order to any religious domination looking to provide in-person services. 

The DOC suspended in-person visits, including volunteer visits, when the pandemic began. The department announced they would resume in-person visits on July 6 and are transitioning to resuming pre-pandemic operations, including religious visits. 

The lawsuit was brought by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty in May on behalf of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The motion granted Monday was filed after DOC announced their intention to reopen to in-person visitors.

"This order simply permits religious visits about two weeks earlier than planned," Carr said.

The DOC said it will follow established procedures for approving and scheduling religious volunteers, services and religious study activities. Visitors will also need to comply with COVID-19 precautions that are in place.