DOC 309.20(4)(b)1.1. The institution shall hold property and funds of an inmate who has escaped for a period of 30 days after which time the property shall be considered abandoned. The institution shall dispose of the abandoned inmate personal property in accordance with the policies and procedures of the institution. The institution shall not be responsible for damage due to prolonged storage. The institution shall not release property to family members solely at the request of the inmate’s family members.

DOC 309.20(4)(b)2.2. If an inmate is apprehended and returned to an institution within one year of the date of escape, the inmate’s property stored under this paragraph shall be transferred to the institution of placement by the institution from which the inmate escaped. If an inmate is incarcerated in a prison or jail which is not under the jurisdiction of the department, the property may be transferred upon the written request of the inmate and at the inmate’s expense to the location of the inmate’s confinement.

DOC 309.20(4)(c)1.1. Approve the disbursement of property and funds to next of kin if the property and funds do not exceed $150.00 in value in accordance with s. 302.14, Stats.

DOC 309.20(4)(c)2.2. Prepare an affidavit for transfer of property under s. 867.03, Stats., if the property and funds value more than $150.00 and less than $10,000.00. The affidavit shall be signed by the person claiming the property and filed with the institution and the Wisconsin department of revenue prior to transfer of property to the next of kin in accordance with s. 867.03, Stats.

DOC 309.20(4)(c)3.3. Unclaimed property shall be held for a one year period after the date of death, after which time the property shall be disposed of in accordance with s. DOC 303.09 (2). The institution shall not be responsible for damage due to prolonged storage.

DOC 309.20(4)(d)(d) Inmates who are currently incarcerated shall be notified that the options for disposal of their personal property are as follows:

DOC 309.20(4)(d)1.1. The department shall, upon notification to the inmate, return to the sender items received at an institution which are not approved. The department shall forward these items by commercial carrier to a person on the inmate’s visiting list at the inmate’s expense, or arrange to have these items picked up by a person on the inmate’s approved visiting list within 30 days. The institution shall immediately dispose of items which are not approved and pose a security concern to the institution. The warden shall dispose of property which cannot be disposed of as provided in this paragraph, at the discretion of the warden.

DOC 309.20(4)(d)2.2. Items which are contraband shall be disposed of in accordance with s. DOC 303.09 (2).

DOC 309.20(4)(d)3.3. Inmates shall be given written notice within 10 days of the disposal of any of their personal property.

DOC 309.20(4)(d)4.4. The department shall permit inmates to sell to other inmates only property items which are specified in policies and procedures established by each warden and subject to approval by the administrator.

DOC 309.20(5)(5) Value of property. The cost of a musical instrument or individual or combination electronic item may not exceed $500.00, excluding taxes and shipping costs. The cost of other items except those which are medically prescribed may not exceed $150.00 for each item, excluding taxes and shipping costs. Personal property shall require a receipt from the merchandise supplier. In case of loss or damage caused by the staff of an institution, the value of an inmate’s personal property shall equal its value at the time of loss or damage, not to exceed its purchase price.

DOC 309.20(6)(6) Transportation of property. The administrator of the division of adult institutions shall develop procedures regulating the transportation of inmate personal property between institutions, subject to the following:

DOC 309.20(6)(a)(a) Items of personal property may not exceed the size limitations under sub. (3) (d) through (f). Property in excess of these limitations shall be disposed of in accordance with sub. (4).

DOC 309.20(6)(b)(b) For the purposes of transportation, an inmate’s legal materials shall fit in a receptacle which is no larger than 20″ x 20″ x 20″ or 8000 cubic inches. Commercial carrier shall ship materials in excess of this amount at the inmate’s expense. The warden may authorize payment of shipping costs for excess materials if the inmate can establish indigence in accordance with s. DOC 309.36.

DOC 309.20(7)(7) Contraband. The institution shall consider items not permitted at an institution or permitted but not on an inmate’s property list under sub. (2) contraband and subject the items to seizure and disposition under s. DOC 303.09 (2). The institution may subject an inmate to discipline for possessing contraband under ss. DOC 303.42 through 303.49.

DOC 309.20 HistoryHistory: Renum. from DOC 309.35, am. (1), (3), (b) (intro.), 1., 2., (c), (f), (4) (intro.), (a) 4., (b) 1., (c) (intro.), (d) 1., 4., (6) (b) and (7), Register, September, 1998, No. 513, eff. 10-1-98; correction in (4) (a) 4. made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register August 2001 No. 548; CR 11-022: am. (4) (a) 5., (c) 3., (d) 2., (7) Register September 2014 No. 705, eff. 1-1-15: EmR2307: emerg. am. (5), eff. 5-3-23; CR 23-029: am. (5) Register February 2024 No. 818, eff. 3-1-24.

DOC 309.23(1)(1) The department shall provide nutritious and quality food for all inmates. Menus shall satisfy generally accepted nutritional standards. The sanitation requirements set by the warden at each institution shall be in writing and shall also be satisfied.

DOC 309.23(2)(2) Each institution shall make written policies regulating eating outside the dining area. Institutions may forbid taking certain foods into or out of the dining area and living quarters.

DOC 309.23(3)(3) The menu for each institution shall be posted once a week for the following week. However, menus may be subject to change.

DOC 309.23(4)(4) Consistent with available resources, inmates who require a modified diet for medical reasons shall be provided with such a modified diet.

DOC 309.23(5)(5) An inmate may abstain from any foods that violate the inmate’s religion. Consistent with available resources, staff shall provide a substitute from other available foods from the menu at that meal. The substitution shall be consistent with sub. (1).

DOC 309.23 HistoryHistory: Cr. Register, October, 1981, No. 310, eff. 11-1-81; renum. from DOC 309.37 and am., Register, November, 1997, No. 503, eff. 12-1-97.

DOC 309.24(1)(1) Each institution shall enforce the maintenance of good personal hygiene standards for its inmates. Personal cleanliness shall be the responsibility of each inmate. Adequate facilities shall be provided for this purpose.

DOC 309.24(2)(2) Institutions shall provide a minimum of 2 bathing periods per week for each inmate. Clean undergarments, shirts, and stockings shall be allowed for or provided at least twice each week. Inmates whose work or other activity makes it desirable shall be allowed more frequent bathing and changes of clothing.

DOC 309.24(3)(a)(a) Specific policies and procedures for hairdressing, use of cosmetics, and personal hygiene shall be made by the division of adult institutions.