The state Department of Corrections is continuing to use the New Era House in Shawano as a temporary placement facility for recently released felons, even though it has been six months since the contract with the facility expired.
The DOC’s eight-year relationship with New Era House, 105 E. Richmond St., was thrown into flux last year when the DOC awarded a new contract to a different provider.
The DOC contracted with ATTIC Correctional Services for an eight-bed facility at 227 E. Richmond St.
The contract called for ATTIC to provide transitional housing services for convicted felons that are under the DOC’s supervision, including recently released sex offenders.
That location was shot down in July when the Shawano Plan Commission refused to allow a special exception to the zoning ordinance for the new facility.
The New Era House contract, which was set to expire in August, was given a one-month extension while ATTIC looked for some other location in the city.
In September, however, the contract with ATTIC “was rescinded because they couldn’t secure a site,” according to DOC Director of Public Affairs Joy Staab.
Staab said the DOC plans to put the contract back out for bid, but there was no timeline on when that would happen, other than it would be “in the near future.”
In the meantime, Staab said, New Era House is still being used “on an as-needed basis.”
The DOC has “pay as you go” options that can be used for living arrangements that are not contracted.
Ruth Paterick, owner and operator of the New Era House, said she is not sure at this point whether she will bid for the new contract.
“I’m just waiting to see what (the DOC) is going to do,” she said.
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