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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
“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.
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.
No Charge. Tickets Required.
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.
David Liners, State Director for WISDOM, will be speaking in Appleon on March 2, 2016 under sponsorship of the 
“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.
