Judge Orders Priests Must Get Access to Wisconsin Prisons for Mass, Sacraments

Catholic World Report ^ | 6/21/21 | Joseph M.Hanneman

[marshmallow]

Archdiocese of Milwaukee prevails against COVID-19 policy banning visitors since March 2020.

For the first time in 15 months, priests in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will be allowed into Wisconsin’s prisons to offer Holy Mass and administer sacraments to inmates under an order signed Monday by a circuit court judge.

Clergy and other visitors have been barred from Wisconsin correctional facilities since March 2020 under a state policy aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee sued the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and its secretary, Kevin A. Carr, on May 7, 2021 in Jefferson County Circuit Court. Archdiocese attorneys argued the visitor policy infringes on constitutionally protected religious liberty and runs afoul of state statutes that guarantee clergy access to prisons.

Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge William F. Hue ruled the Archdiocese of Milwaukee must be given access to state prisons once a week, effective immediately. He signed a provisional writ of mandamus compelling the Department of Corrections to grant the clergy access. The order does not apply to the other four Catholic dioceses in Wisconsin. It will remain in effect as the case proceeds in circuit court.

“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,” said Anthony F. LoCoco, deputy counsel for the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, which represents the archdiocese. “We are grateful for the court’s action today, which will ensure that meaningful religious services can be timely offered.”

A spokeswoman for Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki was pleased with the ruling, but cautioned it is only a first step. “While we are relieved that our clergy and chaplains will once again be able to minister to prison inmates once per week, we......

[Bayard]

Every prison in Dem states do this. Prisoner recidivism is far more likely among those who do not have faith or have it ministered to them.

[mouse1]

I know several guards in the Wisconsin prison system. Visits were stopped under the guise of covid. Unfortunately, like many prisons across the country, Wisconsin institutions are understaffed. There is alot more money to be made in the private sector rather than being abused (verbally and physically) by inmates. Many who are either mentally ill or have addiction problems or both. I am sure it has nothing to do with being a dem state.

[Bayard]

True that addictions and abuse happen, But the kind of people who go to Church and have are on the level they can attend services to begin with are the ones who could get out and change themselves.

You may be right about Dem states, but would the guards be short staffed in other states?

[jocon307]

Well good. The prisoners continue to have their right to practice their religion(s), it’s ridiculous that only now is this being permitted.