This data is obtained at the block level from the 2010 US Census. Blocks were then aggregated into zip codes. Block data was used to align with availability of Group Quarters estimates from the Prison Policy Initiative which is available by block.
This application displays data on the correctional institutions operated by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. These facilities are longer-term holding facilities than county jails. Both Adult Institutions (prisons for adults) and institutions in the Wisconsin Correctional Center System -a network of 14 minimum security adult detention facilities - are included.
The prisoner population of each DOC correctional facility in Wisconsin, disaggregated by race, was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections upon request. These counts have been adjusted to fix obvious errors. The prisoner population as of 2010 was used to most closely align with the available US Census data.
The flow of prisoners by zip code to each prison is estimated from available data. Using the total number of incarcerated adult males (by race) in the state of Wisconsin and comparing it to the racial composition of the inmate populations at each prison it is possible to estimate the percentage of inmates in each prison coming from each zip code.