In early January of this year, Governor Walker announced a plan for future reforms in our adult and juvenile corrections systems. Essentially, it would be to close down the troubled Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake juvenile facilities, and to convert them into an adult facility specializing in AODA treatment. This would help alleviate the backlog of people awaiting AODA treatment in the system, many of whom would become eligible for early release if they get treatment. It would also relieve some overcrowding in the prisons.
The Governor’s plan is a good one, and one that is urgently needed. While the Governor wants to wait until 2019 to launch this plan, the good news is that we don’t have to wait. Legislation to enact the plan the Governor announced, written by Rep. Evan Goyke, has already been proposed and is pending in the State Assembly. You can find Rep. Goyke’s analysis and plan, called “Inmate 501,” here. A video of the presentation may be found here. Instead of waiting two years, we need to call on Representatives Schraa and Hutton, and the Assembly Corrections Committee, to hold hearings on Assembly Bill 791 (see it here) and move the process forward quickly.
Released From Treatment? Now What? Sober Living Home Options
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.
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.
