Addressing Economic Exploitation
One of LSCI's priorities has been to combat the highly exploitive economic realities faced by incarcerated individuals. The DOC has continued to favor and pursue contracts with outside vendors that create an incredibly high financial burden upon both inmates and their loved ones. This is seen in the department's contracts with ICSolutions, Union Supply Direct, and other vendors providing canteen, communications, and property services to those on the inside.
We believe firmly that these companies need to be held to account for their abusive pricing structures, their disregard for quality customer service, and their exploitive practices against individuals who have no other recourse. As such, we are including links to consumer protection agencies as well as regulatory agencies responsible for the management of state agency contracts. We know the fight is an uphill battle. However, the more that people are willing to file these complaints, and demand answers for why the department is choosing these contracts over ones that are far more reasonable, it is our hope that we can get the attention of our decision-makers, and began to effect the needed changes to protect inmates and their loved ones from these economic abuses.
Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection
Wisconsin Department of Administration
You can find the state's procurement policies handbook here. This manual provides significant information about processes and methods. You can also find the department's purchasing manual by clicking here.
Finally, the National Association of State Procurement Officers (NASPO) is an organization used in Wisconsin that has identified and approved a number of vendors for use in government contracts.