Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility
The Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility is a medium-security prison for adult inmates that is located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This prison is operated by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and has the capacity to house 1,040 adult men and women.
MSDF opened on October 8, 2001, and initially housed only Division of Community Corrections (DCC) inmates who had violated their community supervision. In December 2001, MSDF became a prison that housed DOC inmates.
MSDF actually functions similarly to a jail operation. Unlike other DOC institutions, MSDF accepts offenders 24-hours-a-day, and has an intake booking/objective classification process closely resembling that of a county jail. MSDF still houses inmates on DCC probation and parole holds, pending investigation of the alleged violation.
Those inmates can be placed into Alternatives to Revocation (ATR) programming or treatment. The average stay for inmates in ATR programming is 60-90 days. Additionally, MSDF houses DAI inmates who are being released to the Milwaukee area and who are within a year of release. MSDF also houses inmates from nearby correctional centers who are placed in Temporary Lockup status.
The uniqueness of this high-rise correctional facility has attracted interest from across the country.
Prison Insights
Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility
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Visiting Hours and Rules
Due to the limited offender movement operational philosophy at Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility, there are no contact visits. All visits take place utilizing one of the 55 televisit booths.
Every inmate at MSDF is eligible for up to nine hours of visiting each week (limited to three visits per week) Monday through Friday, between 7am and 4pm.
Visits may last up to three hours provided the visitor is in the MSDF Lobby by 12:10 p.m. Visit length during high volume times (Monday through Friday 1:00pm to 8pm, Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) will be limited to one hour.
The total number of persons permitted on a visit may not exceed two adults or one adult with two minor children. All visitors must be appropriately dressed, or the visit may be denied.
There are additional booths for visits with Stanley Correctional Institution (SCI), Waupun Correctional Institution (WCI), Prairie Du Chien Correctional Institution (PDCI), and Wisconsin Secure Program Facility (WSPF) inmates.
Televisits to SCI, WCI, PDCI, and WSPF must be scheduled in advance by calling the Televist Coordinator: SCI -715-644-2960, WCI: 920-324-7262, PDCI: 608-326-5898, WSPF: 608-375-6422.
These visitors must arrive at MSDF at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled televisit to allow for processing in and connection time. Visitors do not need an appointment for a televisit with an inmate housed at MSDF.
Please note, though, that inmates are only allowed visits from persons on their approved visiting list. Contact the inmate’s Probation/Parole agent to be approved to visit.
All adult visitors, including minors age 16 or older, must provide a current form of identification. There will be no exceptions for expired IDs.
Physical Address
Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility
1015 N. 10th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53205-0740
Driving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/XqinaevTC9RzofrK9
General Phone Number
(414) 212-3535
Inmate Mailing Address(es)
Inmate name and DOC number
Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility
PO Box 05911
Milwaukee, WI 53205-0911
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has a Personal Care Package Program that allows family and friends to purchase approved personal care items for their loved ones at Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility on a quarterly basis directly from Union Supply Group (USG). Orders can be placed online at WIinmatepackage.com or by phone, fax, or mail.
Emails can be sent to and from inmates through the CorrLinks system. Inmates must initiate the contact by adding a friend or family member to their contact list.
An auto-generated request that includes your inmate's name and DOC number is sent by CorrLinks to the friend/family member’s email address. To accept the request, simply click the link in the email to be taken to the CorrLinks website where you can create an account for free.
How to Call an Inmate
You can't call an inmate at Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility, but they do have access to phones. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Wisconsin, please click here.
How to Send Money
Inmate funds at Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility are received through Access Corrections Secure Deposit and their affiliate walk-in provider CashPayToday.
US Postal Service (no service fees):
- Print and complete a Wisconsin DOC Money Order/Check Deposit Slip (bilingüe). Forms are also available at the facilities.
- The inmate's DOC number must be written on the check/money order and deposit slip.
- All writing must be legible and in blue or black ink.
- Do not include any additional items such as photos or letters, as they will be discarded.
- Make cashier's checks, personal checks, and money orders payable to ACCESS SECURE DEPOSITS.
- Mail to: Secure Deposits – Wisconsin DOC, P.O. Box 12486, St Louis, MO 63132.
Walk-in (service fees apply):
- Visit CashPayToday.com or call (844) 340-2274 to enroll.
- Walk-in sites accept cash only.
- Visit CashPayToday to locate a Dollar General, Family Dollar, Speedway, or another location near you that accepts walk-in payments, or view this list of WI locations.
Internet or Phone (service fees apply):
- Visit AccessCorrections.com or call (866) 345-1884 (bilingüe; agents available 24/7)
- Visa and MasterCard are accepted
Programs For Inmates
Adult Basic Education, GED, Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Domestic Violence, Thinking For A Change.
Pictures of Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility
Careers at Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility
If you are interested in a career with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and would like more information about job openings at the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility, click here.
