Wisconsin Prisons See Dramatic Increase in Inmates Serving Time for OWI

Thursday, April 30th, 2026 -- 12:01 PM

(Wisconsin Radio Network) Wisconsin prisons have seen a dramatic increase in inmates serving time for OWI.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Network, that’s another finding from Wisconsin Policy Forum’s comprehensive review of the state’s criminal justice system. Research Director Joe Peterangelo said  that in 2000, there were 646 adults who were incarcerated for a drunk driving charge. In 2023, it was 2,754.

The Policy Forum is also preparing a more detailed study on the issue, looking at who is being arrested and incarcerated for these offenses by race, age, gender, how Wisconsin’s drunk driving laws compare with other states, and drunk driving crashes and fatalities.

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