This article from the MKE Journal Sentinel provides a good overview of the incarceration explosion that Wisconsin has ignited since removing rehabilitation incentives from our state prison system in the 1990s. In our opinion, it was a sad example of Wisconsin once again acting behind the learning curve on justice issues, as many states were beginning to realize at that time that they couldnt incarcerate their way to reduced recidivism, enhanced public safety, and fairness in criminal justice. Some twenty years later, Wisconsins Department of Corrections is the States largest budget, greater than the amount of money we spend on our education institutions. From the article: Wisconsins prison population has tripled since 1990, increasing from about 7,000 to more than 22,000. The amount spent on corrections rose 620% through 2012, not accounting for inflation. The corrections budget for 2013-15 is $2.54 billion. In Wisconsin, truth in sentencing eliminated the possibility of parole for anyone whose crime occurred on or after Dec. 31, 1999. Under the law, among the toughest in the nation, all prisoners must serve every day of the sentence imposed by a judge. Unlike many other states, which reserve truth in sentencing for serious offenses, Wisconsins law applies to all crimes, not just violent ones. Inmates get no credit for good behavior. [Current WI Governor Scott] Walker authored the legislation when he served in the Assembly. He has said his main goal was not longer sentences but certainty for victims about how long perpetrators would spend behind bars. But longer sentences have become the reality. jsonline/watchdog/watchdogreports/secretive-system-keeps-parole-eligible-inmates-behind-bars-b99307603z1-266891491.html
Posted on: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 13:03:08 +0000
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