Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 814 - Court costs, fees, and surcharges.
814.25 - Costs in actions by prisoners.

814.25 Costs in actions by prisoners.
(1) In this section:
(a) “Prisoner" has the meaning given in s. 801.02 (7) (a) 2.
(b) “Prison or jail conditions" has the meaning given in s. 801.02 (7) (a) 3.
(2)
(a) Except as provided in par. (b), if a prisoner brings an action or special proceeding related to prison or jail conditions, no costs may be allowed against the state, a state agency or a county, city, village or town, or against any individual defendant when sued in an official capacity.
(b) Costs are allowable to a prisoner who obtains prospective injunctive relief against an individual defendant when that defendant is sued in an official capacity and to a prisoner who obtains a judgment against a defendant when that defendant is sued in his or her personal capacity. This paragraph does not apply to actions or special proceedings related to prison or jail conditions that seek a remedy available by certiorari.
(3) If the prevailing party is the state, a state agency or a county, city, village or town or an individual in any action or special proceeding commenced by a prisoner related to prison or jail conditions, the prisoner shall pay the full costs allowed under this chapter. The prisoner shall be required to pay the costs out of any trust fund accounts that he or she holds in the same manner as payment is required for court fees under s. 814.29 (1m) (e).
History: 1997 a. 133.
This section does not violate a prisoner's rights to equal protection of the laws. There is more than one rational basis supporting the legislative creation of different classifications to be considered when costs and fees are awarded. Harr v. Berge, 2004 WI App 105, 273 Wis. 2d 481, 681 N.W.2d 282, 03-2611

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