Wis. Stat. § 304.02 — WI Code / Chapter 304 / Section 304.02
Special action parole release.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall use a special action release program to relieve crowding in state prisons by releasing certain prisoners to parole supervision using a procedure other than mandatory release under s. 302.11 or release under s. 304.06 (1) (b) .

(1m) A person who is serving a sentence for a crime specified in s. 941.29 (1g) (a) ; a crime specified in s. 941.29 (1g) (b) , not including s. 951.02 , 951.08 , 951.09 , or 951.095 ; or a crime under s. 948.02 (3) , 948.055 , 948.075 , or 948.095 is not eligible for special action release under this section.

(2) The department shall promulgate rules for the special action release program, including eligibility criteria, procedures for the secretary to decide whether to grant a prisoner a special action release to parole supervision, procedures for notifying persons, offices or agencies under s. 304.06 (1) (c) and (g) of releases, and conditions of release. If applicable, the department shall also comply with s. 304.063 .

(2m) A person released under this section, his or her residence, and any property under his or her control may be searched by a law enforcement officer at any time during his or her period of supervision if the officer reasonably suspects that the person is committing, is about to commit, or has committed a crime or a violation of a condition of parole. Any search conducted pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in a reasonable manner and may not be arbitrary, capricious, or harassing. A law enforcement officer who conducts a search pursuant to this subsection shall, as soon as practicable after the search, notify the department.

(3) Notwithstanding any eligibility criteria prescribed by department rule, a prisoner is eligible for special action release to parole supervision without meeting the eligibility criteria if all of the following conditions are met:

(a) The prisoner population equals or exceeds the statewide prisoner population limit promulgated by rule under s. 301.055 .

(b) The prisoner is not currently incarcerated regarding a felony conviction for an assaultive crime.

(c) The institution social worker or the probation, extended supervision and parole agent of record has reason to believe the prisoner will be able to maintain himself or herself in society without engaging in assaultive activity.

(d) The inmate is not granted a special action release more than 18 months before his or her expected release date under s. 302.11 .

(e) The prisoner is eligible for release under s. 304.06 (1) (b) .

(4) If a person is sentenced under s. 973.032 , he or she is eligible for a release to parole supervision under this section and remains in the intensive sanctions program unless discharged by the department under s. 301.048 (6) (a) .

(4m) A prisoner paroled under this section is subject to the restriction under s. 304.06 (2m) , if applicable, relating to the counties to which prisoners may be paroled.

(5) Notwithstanding subs. (1) to (3) , a prisoner who is serving a life sentence under s. 939.62 (2m) (c) , 948.051 (1) (b) or (2) (b) , or 973.014 (1) (c) or (1g) is not eligible for release to parole supervision under this section.

(6) Notwithstanding subs. (1) to (3) , a prisoner is not eligible for release to parole supervision under this section if he or she is serving a bifurcated sentence under s. 973.01 .

History: 1989 a. 31 , 336 ; 1991 a. 39 ; 1993 a. 16 , 79 , 97 , 289 ; 1995 a. 48 ; 1997 a. 275 , 283 , 326 ; 1999 a. 32 ; 2013 a. 79 ; 2021 a. 227 ; 2025 a. 187 .