McNaughton Correctional Center

McNaughton Correctional Center houses adult male offenders serving sentences under the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. As a medium-security facility, MCC's population is composed primarily of inmates who have been assessed as presenting a moderate risk level — individuals who do not require the intensive restrictions and supervision of a maximum-security prison, but who are not yet suitable for the greater autonomy of a minimum-security or community corrections environment. This classification is based on a comprehensive evaluation that considers the nature and severity of the commitment offense, criminal history, institutional behavior, mental health needs, and program participation.

The population at MCC is diverse in terms of age, background, and offense type. The facility may house individuals convicted of a wide range of offenses, including property crimes, drug-related offenses, and various violent offenses that fall within the medium-security classification range. Some inmates arrive at MCC directly from sentencing, while others are transferred from higher-security facilities as they progress through the DOC's system and demonstrate improved behavior and lower risk profiles. This movement within the DOC system reflects the agency's broader goal of managing individuals at the least-restrictive level appropriate for public safety.

MCC's population size is consistent with similarly scaled medium-security facilities in Wisconsin. The facility is staffed to maintain appropriate officer-to-inmate ratios and ensure that programming, supervision, and support services are accessible to all residents. Families who are uncertain about where their loved one is currently housed can use the Wisconsin DOC's official offender locator tool to confirm placement and current status.

Living conditions at McNaughton Correctional Center meet Wisconsin Department of Corrections standards for medium-security facilities and are designed to balance safety, structure, and basic dignity. Inmates are housed in designated units based on their classification level, program participation, and behavioral record. Housing areas are subject to regular inspections by staff to ensure cleanliness, safety compliance, and adherence to facility rules. Inmates are expected to maintain their personal living spaces in orderly condition, and failure to do so can affect housing assignments and program eligibility.

Daily life at MCC follows a structured schedule that provides routine and predictability — elements that research suggests are important for both safety and rehabilitation. A typical day includes scheduled mealtimes, work assignments or program participation, recreation periods, and personal time. Three meals are served daily and are prepared in compliance with nutritional standards set by the Wisconsin DOC. Inmates with documented medical or religious dietary needs may be accommodated through the facility's health services or chaplaincy program, subject to review and approval.

Medical and mental health services are available on-site to address the healthcare needs of the inmate population. These services include routine medical care, dental care, and access to mental health professionals for counseling and psychiatric support. Inmates are expected to use the established request process to access healthcare services, and serious or emergency medical needs are handled with appropriate urgency. The facility also has access to outside medical providers for specialized care that cannot be addressed on-site.

Recreation opportunities at MCC include both indoor and outdoor activities. Given the facility's northwoods setting, outdoor recreation areas provide space for physical activity during appropriate weather conditions. Indoor recreation may include weight rooms, gymnasium space, and access to televisions, games, and reading materials. Religious services and programming through the chaplaincy are also available, providing spiritual support across a range of faith traditions. These elements of daily life are intended to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the men housed at the facility.

McNaughton Correctional Center offers a meaningful range of educational, vocational, and rehabilitative programs designed to reduce recidivism and help inmates develop the skills they will need to lead law-abiding, productive lives after release. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections is committed to evidence-based programming across all its institutions, and MCC reflects that commitment through structured offerings that address education, employment readiness, behavioral change, and substance abuse recovery.

Educational programming at MCC includes Adult Basic Education (ABE) for inmates who need to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy skills, as well as preparation courses for the High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED/GED). Earning an equivalency diploma is strongly encouraged, as research consistently shows that educational attainment significantly reduces the likelihood of reoffending. Inmates who have already completed their high school education may have access to post-secondary education options, including vocational certifications or college-level coursework facilitated through partnerships with outside educational providers.

Vocational and job skills training programs at MCC focus on providing inmates with marketable abilities that can translate directly into employment opportunities following release. These programs may cover areas such as custodial and building maintenance, food service, grounds keeping, and other trades relevant to the facility's operations. Work assignments within the facility — including kitchen work, laundry, landscaping, and facility maintenance — also serve as practical job training, giving inmates structured employment experience and reinforcing accountability and reliability.

Cognitive and behavioral programming plays a central role in MCC's rehabilitative approach. Programs designed to address thinking errors, impulse control, anger management, and decision-making skills are offered to help inmates understand and change the behavioral patterns that contributed to their incarceration. Substance abuse education and treatment programming is also available, recognizing that addiction is a significant factor in a large portion of the incarcerated population. Additionally, reentry planning services help inmates prepare for the practical realities of release — including housing, employment, and community supervision requirements — well before their actual release date.

McNaughton Correctional Center has one of the most storied histories of any correctional facility in Wisconsin, with roots stretching back to 1931. The original MCC was established in the town of McNaughton — a small community in Oneida County — as a state correctional forestry camp. It was designed primarily to house inmates transferred from the Green Bay Reformatory who were deemed suitable for lower-security, work-focused environments. Like many correctional camps that emerged during the Great Depression era, MCC put inmates to work on conservation and forestry projects throughout the region. This labor model served a dual purpose: it provided practical value to the state's natural resource management efforts while also instilling structure, discipline, and a work ethic in the men housed there.

The facility underwent a significant and defining transformation in 1957. That year, the Lake Tomahawk Tuberculosis Rehabilitation Camp — which had operated for decades on the shores of Lake Tomahawk in Oneida County — was officially closed as advances in medicine made tuberculosis sanatoriums obsolete. The grounds and buildings of that former health facility were subsequently deeded to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, and the correctional camp was relocated and reestablished at its current Lake Tomahawk site. This transition gave MCC both a new physical home and an expanded mission, as the institution inherited a campus with more substantial infrastructure than the original forestry camp had offered.

Over the following decades, McNaughton Correctional Center continued to adapt to the changing landscape of Wisconsin's corrections system. The facility grew its programming capacity, expanded its housing units, and updated its security and classification systems in line with evolving DOC standards. Today, MCC retains the character of its northwoods roots while operating as a modern, medium-security institution that reflects current best practices in correctional management and inmate rehabilitation. Its nearly century-long presence in Oneida County makes it a notable and enduring part of both Wisconsin's correctional history and the fabric of the local community.

No widely documented famous former inmates are currently associated with McNaughton Correctional Center. As a medium-security facility serving the general Wisconsin DOC population, MCC does not carry the public profile of higher-security institutions that have historically housed high-profile offenders. The facility's population is drawn from across Wisconsin and represents the broad range of individuals serving medium-security sentences in the state's correctional system.

Individuals who are curious about the background or incarceration history of someone who may have been held at McNaughton or another Wisconsin facility can search criminal records using publicly available data to review arrest history, conviction records, and incarceration status.

Visitation is one of the most important lifelines between incarcerated individuals and their families, and McNaughton Correctional Center recognizes and supports that connection in accordance with Wisconsin DOC visitation policies. Research consistently demonstrates that maintaining strong family ties during incarceration significantly improves outcomes for inmates both during their sentence and after release — making the visitation process worth navigating carefully.

Before any in-person visit can take place, all prospective visitors — including immediate family members — must be reviewed and approved by the facility. This process requires submitting a visitor application to MCC, and approval is not automatic. A background review may be conducted as part of the approval process, so it is strongly advisable to begin the application well in advance of any planned visit. Once approved, visitors are added to the inmate's approved visitor list. Changes to that list or additions of new visitors must go through the same application process.

Visitation at MCC typically takes place on weekends and certain approved holidays, though schedules can vary and are subject to change based on facility operations, staffing, and security considerations. Visitors should always confirm current visiting hours and any schedule changes directly with the facility before making travel arrangements, particularly given MCC's remote location in northern Wisconsin. For the most up-to-date visitation guidelines and procedures, families are encouraged to review the Wisconsin DOC visitation process page.

On the day of a visit, all visitors are required to present a valid, government-issued photo ID at the facility entrance. Visitors must comply with MCC's dress code, which prohibits clothing that resembles inmate attire or staff uniforms, as well as items that are deemed inappropriate for a correctional setting. All visitors and their belongings are subject to search upon entry. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an approved adult guardian and may also be subject to the visitor approval process. Items brought into the visiting area are strictly limited, and visitors should review the facility's specific rules regarding what is and is not permitted before their visit.

In addition to in-person visits, families can stay connected through phone calls, mail, and electronic messaging. To support your loved one's morale and day-to-day needs, you may also want to explore options to send money to their commissary account, which allows them to purchase approved personal items, snacks, and hygiene products from the facility's commissary.

Families and friends of inmates at McNaughton Correctional Center have several options for maintaining regular contact with their loved ones. Staying in touch is important for the well-being of both the incarcerated individual and their family, and MCC provides multiple communication channels to help make that connection possible.

Phone calls are the most common method of communication between inmates and their families. Inmates at MCC are provided access to the facility's phone system during designated hours throughout the day. All outgoing calls from inmates are typically subject to monitoring and recording, and the cost of calls is generally the responsibility of the inmate or the family, depending on the arrangement and phone service provider used by the facility. Setting up a prepaid account with the facility's contracted phone carrier in advance can help families manage costs and ensure calls go through without interruption.

Mail remains a meaningful and cost-effective way to stay connected. Inmates at MCC can send and receive letters and cards, and family members are encouraged to write regularly. All incoming and outgoing mail is subject to inspection by facility staff in accordance with security protocols. When sending mail, use the inmate's full legal name and DOC identification number on the envelope to ensure proper delivery. Packages and publications sent to inmates must comply with the facility's specific guidelines regarding approved senders and permitted contents — it is advisable to contact the facility or check the Wisconsin DOC website for current rules before sending anything other than standard correspondence.

Electronic messaging may also be available through a DOC-approved digital platform, which allows families to send and receive messages more quickly than traditional mail. This service typically requires account creation and may involve a per-message fee. Check with MCC or the Wisconsin DOC for information on which electronic communication platforms are currently approved and in use at the facility.

To reach McNaughton Correctional Center directly, contact the facility by phone or written correspondence. For families who are still trying to determine where their loved one is housed within the Wisconsin system, our guide on how to find an inmate provides step-by-step instructions for locating someone in the DOC system. You can also use the Wisconsin DOC's official offender locator to search by name or DOC number. If you need to verify incarceration history or review public records, you can look up an inmate's arrest history using publicly available criminal records tools.