WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and SportsLawmaker calls for information on inmate surgeries

Lawmaker calls for information on inmate surgeries

Eau Claire (WQOW) - A Wisconsin lawmaker wants to know how much of your money is being used to pay for inmate surgeries.

On Monday, News 18 told you about Daryl Strenke formerly of Turtle Lake. He's serving 30 years for killing his ex-girlfriend.

He shot Sam Verby 7 years ago before he turned the gun on himself. He survived, but was disfigured and hasn't been able to eat or speak normally since. Now, the state has approved spending taxpayer dollars on reconstructive surgery for him.  

That's something that doesn't sit well with a Wisconsin lawmaker. Brett Davis of Oregon, Wis., is calling on the department of corrections to give him a list of any cosmetic or non-life threatening surgeries that have been paid for with taxpayer dollars over the past 5 years.

In a letter to the department of corrections he says, "I believe it's important that tax dollars spent on inmate's health care, especially those convicted of murder, is done for life-saving purposes only."

The full letter is below:

October 13, 2009

Secretary Rick Raemisch
WI Department of Corrections
Post Office Box 7925
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7925

Dear Secretary Raemisch:

I am writing today regarding recent reports that the Department of Corrections (DOC) may
be providing cosmetic reconstructive surgery to inmates. I am respectfully requesting DOC
reconsider and reevaluate the services it provides to inmates with tax dollars.

One specific example was outlined earlier this week in the Wisconsin State Journal. The
article reported that a man convicted of second-degree intentional homicide was scheduled
to undergo costly cosmetic surgery to repair self-inflicted damage to his face. I believe it is
important that tax dollars spent on inmate's health care, especially those convicted of
murder, is done for life-saving purposes only.

I would ask that you not only consider reversing this particular decision, but also review the
process in which elective surgeries are performed with tax dollars. In addition, I am
requesting DOC provide me with a list of any other cosmetic or medically non-life
threatening surgeries that have been paid for with taxpayer dollars over the past five years.

Sincerely,

Brett Davis
State Representative
80th District