Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 302.37 (2026)
Maintenance of jail and care of prisoners
✓ current as of July 2026
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302.37(1)(a)(a) The sheriff or other keeper of a jail shall constantly keep it clean and in a healthful condition and pay strict attention to the personal cleanliness of the prisoners and shall cause the clothing of each prisoner to be properly laundered. The sheriff or keeper shall furnish each prisoner with clean water, towels and bedding. The sheriff or keeper shall serve each prisoner 3 times daily with enough well-cooked, wholesome food. The county board shall prescribe an adequate diet for the prisoners in the county jail.
302.37(1)(b)(b) The keeper of a lockup facility shall constantly keep it clean and in a healthful condition and pay strict attention to the personal cleanliness of the prisoners. The keeper shall serve each prisoner with clean water, towels and food.
302.37(2)(2) Except as provided in s. 302.375 (2m), neither the sheriff or other keeper of any jail nor any other person shall give, sell or deliver to any prisoner for any cause whatever any alcohol beverages unless a physician certifies in writing that the health of the prisoner requires it, in which case the prisoner may be allowed the quantity prescribed.
302.37(3)(a)(a) The county or municipality shall furnish its jail with necessary bedding, clothing, toilet facilities, light and heat for prisoners.
302.37(3)(b)(b) The owner of a lockup facility shall furnish toilet facilities, light and heat for prisoners.
302.37(4)(4) The sheriff or other keeper of a jail may use without compensation the labor of any prisoner sentenced to actual confinement in the county jail or, with the prisoner’s consent, any other prisoner in the maintaining of and the housekeeping of the jail, including the property on which it stands. Any prisoner who escapes while working on the grounds outside the jail enclosure shall be punished as provided in s. 946.42.
302.37 HistoryHistory: 1979 c. 34; 1981 c. 79 s. 17; 1985 a. 167; 1989 a. 31 s. 1653; Stats. 1989 s. 302.37; 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 213; 2005 a. 67.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6
cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1997–2025 · leading case: Kocken v. Wisconsin Council 40, 2007 WI 72 (Wis. 2007).
Kocken v. Wisconsin Council 40, 2007 WI 72 (Wis. 2007). “'" [31] ¶ 46 Today, Wis. Stat. § 302.37 requires the sheriff to take custody of inmates and provide them with adequate nourishment.”
Wisconsin Dep't of Corr. v. Kliesmet, 564 N.W.2d 742 (Wis. 1997). “27 ; see also Wis. Stat. § 302.37 (describing sheriffs duty to maintain jail and care for prisoners).”
Barnes, Fletcher La Crosse Cnty. Gov't Unit (W.D. Wis. 2024). “§ 3” and Wis. Stat. § 302.37 , which describes a county sheriff’s duties to maintain a jail.”
Hall v. Wild (E.D. Wis. 2023). “The plaintiff claims that Sheriff Severson is responsible for the care of prisoners and jail conditions pursuant to Wis. Stat. §302.37 . Id. at ¶33 . And he claims that Gahn and John Doe Officer failed to double lock his handcuffs and refused to provide clothing, bedding, heat,…”
Hollins, Emon v. Dane Cnty. (W.D. Wis. 2024). “Hollins contends that defendants’ conscious disregard is shown by their refusal to follow internal jail rules and Wis. Stat. § 302.37 (“maintenance of jail and care of prisoners”) and he suggests that they should have power washed and bleached the unit.”
Jesse Clubb v. Marinette Cnty. (Wis. Ct. App. 2025). “§ 302.37(1)(a); therefore, “[t]he primary purposes” of Aramark and the County’s contract “were to ensure the County’s compliance with its statutory duties, identify the services Aramark 10 No.”
Wis. Stat. § 302.37(1)(a): 2 cases
Kocken v. Wisconsin Council 40, 2007 WI 72 (Wis. 2007). “'" [31] ¶ 46 Today, Wis. Stat. § 302.37 requires the sheriff to take custody of inmates and provide them with adequate nourishment.”
Jesse Clubb v. Marinette Cnty. (Wis. Ct. App. 2025). “§ 302.37(1)(a); therefore, “[t]he primary purposes” of Aramark and the County’s contract “were to ensure the County’s compliance with its statutory duties, identify the services Aramark 10 No.”
Wis. Stat. § 302.37(l)(a): 1 case
Kocken v. Wisconsin Council 40, 2007 WI 72 (Wis. 2007). “'" [31] ¶ 46 Today, Wis. Stat. § 302.37 requires the sheriff to take custody of inmates and provide them with adequate nourishment.”
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