Below are some actions and events that move us toward our goal of treatment instead of prison related to drug and alcohol offenses for non-violent offenders. We are working to gain additional funding to support treatment and alternatives to incarceration. Unless otherwise noted, events are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact the chair, Lisa Hanneman.
People of Faith United for Justice is a day-long gathering to learn, discuss, pray and take action on justice issues such as prison reform, public transit, affordable housing, transitional jobs, and more. We gather at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison for plenary sessions and lunch, followed by a march to the capitol and meetings with legislators.
Treatment Alternatives and Diversion Funding, the focus for 11x15, is one of the issues this day. Funding for transportation is another.
Our state legislature will soon take up the budget for the next biennium. The budget is where the rubber meets the road. Without funding to support programs, all we have is talk. Currently, ESTHER is focusing on securing adequate funding in two areas. Will you join us in advocating in support of these budget priorities?
Public Transit
Transit is important in our community to get people to jobs, medical appointments, school, shopping, community events, and more. The Wisconsin Transportation Finance and Policy Commission has recommended investing an additional $36.3 million annually over ten years to strengthen public transit in our state [click to read the report]. We support this recommendation.
We also call for restoration of transit funds cut from the state budget during the 2010-11 biennium. Restoring this 10% cut would bring the state's public transportation budget back to the 2009-10 level. Without the restoration, communities in the Fox Valley and throughout the state will begin feeling the effects in July of this year.
Prison Reform
Treatment Alternative Diversion (TAD) programs have proven their value and their cost-effectiveness in Wisconsin and around the country. Following the recommendation of the recent Health Impact Assessment (read more at prayforjusticeinwi.org), we are calling for $75 million to be appropriated for these programs.
Results of the Health Impact Assessment indicate that such an investment would reduce costs, reduce crime, increase recovery from addictions and mental illness, strengthen families, and improve economic opportunity. Prison is about four times more costly than TAD programs such as alcohol, drug, and mental health treatment courts.
Join us at Madison Action Day [click to learn more] on March 14 to help show your support for these prioritries.
The Wisconsin League of Women Voters has endorsed a central aim of WISDOM’s 11X15 campaign—increased use of alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders. In a memo sent to LWV leaders state-wide on March 8, Executive Director Andrea Kaminski asks League members to contact their state Senators and Assembly Representatives to urge expansion of Treatment Alternatives and Diversion funding, instead of increased funding for jails and prisons.
“Voices From Inside: Wisconsin Prisoners Speak Out” is now available. The book contains excerpts from some of the hundreds of letters WISDOM has received from inmates since the start of the 11×15 campaign. The letters touch upon a variety of themes, and each of them reminds us that prisoners are human beings with hopes, dreams, regrets and questions. The letters are accompanied by reflections from judges, bishops, pastors and others, as well as important facts about the criminal justice system.
Books can be obtained from any local WISDOM group or from the WISDOM office—3195 S. Superior St., #310, Milwaukee, WI 53207. A $5 donation per book is suggested.
IT’S INEFFECTIVE, IMMORAL, DANGEROUS AND VERY EXPENSIVE!
ESTHER is hosting a life-size replica of a solitary confinement cell in the lobby of the Communications Art Center at UW-Fox Valley (1478 Midway Rd, Menasha) during the week of October 5th-9th. The cell is open at no cost for the public to experience from 10:00am-8:00pm on October 5th-7th (Mon-Wed) and again on October 9th (Friday).
Three community events are planned for the week:
Monday, October 5th at 6:30pm - Mental Illness and Incarceration, Community Forum. Community leaders share about the impact that incarceration, as well as solitary confinement has on those with mental illness. Free and open to all.
Tuesday, October 6th from 11:30am-1:30pm - Religious Leaders Experience. Open to all religious leaders, lunch included. Please RSVP by phone at 920-843-8083 or email esther.foxvalley@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 6th at 6:30pm - Solitary Confinement and Prison Reform, Community Forum. Experts present the effect that solitary confinment has on individuals and what's being done in Wisconsin. Free and open to all.
To schedule a group or class to experience the cell contact us by phone at 920-843-8083 or email esther.foxvalley@gmail.com
David Liners, State Director for WISDOM, will be speaking in Appleon on March 2, 2016 under sponsorship of the Noonhour Philosophers program of Trinity Lutheran Church, Appleton. His topic will be ROC Wisconsin, an ongoing project of WISDOM, working alongside its affiliates and partners (including EXPO—Ex-Prisoners Organizing), to reform the criminal justice system in our state so that it helps to build up our communities instead of tearing them down.
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
209 S. Allen St., Appleton
Free and open to all; no advance registration required
Join us on Wednesday, April 6, at 6:30 PM at the Appleton Public Library for a high-impact presentation on the Restore Our Communities project to end mass incarceration in Wisconsin. The presentation will be given by David Liners, State Director for WISDOM. ROC Wisconsin is a campaign to demand all the reforms that were lifted up by the 11x15 Campaign: Keeping people out of prison, treating prisoners more humanely and fairly, and ensuring that those returning from prison have a chance to succeed. Altogether, these changes will truly “Restore Our Communities,” improving the health, safety, and well-being of all who live in them.
Judge John Des Jardins and Treatment Services Director Bernie Vetrone will describe ongoing work leading towards a system-wide, evidence-based approach to evaluation, treatment, and incarceration of criminal defendants in Outagamie County, Wisconsin.
Thursday, May 5, 7:00 pm
Appleton Public Library, Room C
Outagamie County is one of eighteen counties in the nation chosen to participate in this National Institute of Corrections-sponsored project.
Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2600 E Phillip Ln, Appleton
A group of women formerly incarcerated in Illinois will share their thoughts and feelings about being incarcerated when a play called “The Power of Grace” is presented by ESTHER-Fox Valley and Fox Cities EXPO (Ex-Prisoners Organizing). The presentation is supported by a Bright Idea Fund grant from the Community Foundation and will be follow by a panel discussion.
The short theatrical piece was created from poetry written by the women. The script communicates the story of incarcerated women to the general public in order to break down stereotypes and encourage awareness regarding the U.S. criminal justice system. Presented from the prisoner’s point of view, the play is a window into the personal experience of incarceration, and represents a ritual of self-liberation.
People of Faith United for Justice is a day-long gathering to learn, discuss, pray and take action on justice issues such as prison reform, public transit, affordable housing, transitional jobs, and more. We gather at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison for plenary sessions and lunch, followed by a march to the capitol and meetings with legislators.
Our state legislature will soon take up the budget for the next biennium. The budget is where the rubber meets the road. Without funding to support programs, all we have is talk. Currently, ESTHER is focusing on securing adequate funding in two areas. Will you join us in advocating in support of these budget priorities?
“Voices From Inside: Wisconsin Prisoners Speak Out” is now available. The book contains excerpts from some of the hundreds of letters WISDOM has received from inmates since the start of the 11×15 campaign. The letters touch upon a variety of themes, and each of them reminds us that prisoners are human beings with hopes, dreams, regrets and questions. The letters are accompanied by reflections from judges, bishops, pastors and others, as well as important facts about the criminal justice system.
David Liners, State Director for WISDOM, will be speaking in Appleon on March 2, 2016 under sponsorship of the 
Join us on Wednesday, April 6, at 6:30 PM at the Appleton Public Library for a high-impact presentation on the Restore Our Communities project to end mass incarceration in Wisconsin. The presentation will be given by David Liners, State Director for WISDOM. ROC Wisconsin is a campaign to demand all the reforms that were lifted up by the 11x15 Campaign: Keeping people out of prison, treating prisoners more humanely and fairly, and ensuring that those returning from prison have a chance to succeed. Altogether, these changes will truly “Restore Our Communities,” improving the health, safety, and well-being of all who live in them.
Judge John Des Jardins and Treatment Services Director Bernie Vetrone will describe ongoing work leading towards a system-wide, evidence-based approach to evaluation, treatment, and incarceration of criminal defendants in Outagamie County, Wisconsin.
