Bill Circulating at the State Capitol Would Lift the Cap on Compensation for Those Wrongfully Incarcerated

Wednesday, October 15th, 2025 -- 10:01 AM

(Wisconsin Radio Network) A bill circulating at the State Capitol would lift the cap on compensation for those who are wrongfully incarcerated.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Network, the annual compensation would increase from $5,000 to $50,000 and place that overall cap at $1 million. The current cap is $25,000. The measure does have bipartisan support and according the bill’s sponsors, the state hasn’t increased the cap since 1980.

The bill would also create a release plan for those exonerated by giving them access to healthcare, sealing their records and providing an immediate amount of compensation upon release.

In 1913, Wisconsin became the first state in the country to compensate people wrongfully convicted of a crime.

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