Wisconsin’s prison population broke records last week with 23,854 behind bars. It’s a new milestone for a system that has been thousands of people over capacity for decades.
prisons
Posted inPublic Safety & Criminal Justice
Wisconsin to hold commutations hearing Friday
It’s the first time in 25 years Wisconsin prisoners have been able to request shorter sentences. New polling released this week by the ACLU of Wisconsin shows a majority of Wisconsinites favor a form of clemency for at least some individuals.
Posted inOpinion: Community Voices
Opinion: My open letters to elected leaders on justice and public safety as Wisconsin weighs commutations
As Wisconsin embarks on a new commutation process, Shannon Ross calls on elected leaders to put data, accountability and public safety ahead of politics.
Posted inCommunity, Public Safety & Criminal Justice
Wisconsin’s prison population is heading toward a record high. Track the trend here.
Overcrowding is particularly extreme in Wisconsin’s women’s prisons, two of which hold more than twice as many people as they were designed for. A new Wisconsin Watch tool, updated weekly, shows the population approaching the 2019 record.
Posted inOpinion: Community Voices
Opinion: After decades in prison, who deserves a chance at clemency?
Wisconsin leaders are debating who in prison should qualify for clemency. A one-size-fits-all approach risks ignoring rehabilitation and growth with age.
Posted inPublic Safety & Criminal Justice
Tony Evers revived commutations, but what will Wisconsin’s next governor do?
Mandela Barnes was the only Democrat who, when initially asked, split from the governor’s executive order allowing commutations for murder convictions.
Posted inCommunity, Public Safety & Criminal Justice
Commutations are back. Here’s what incarcerated people and their loved ones should know.
For the first time in decades, Wisconsin prisoners will be able to apply to have their sentences commuted, Gov. Tony Evers announced. Wisconsin Watch talked to three experts about how prisoners and their families can learn more and prepare.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Public Safety & Criminal Justice
Wisconsin Republicans mum on prison plans heading into key vote on moving projects forward
The GOP rejected Gov. Tony Evers’ $325 million budget proposal, but Republicans have yet to detail their own vision for fixing a broken system.
Posted inPublic Safety & Criminal Justice
Wisconsin rarely grants compassionate release as aging, ailing prisoners stress systems
Increased use of compassionate release could ease costs and crowding with minimal risks to public safety, experts say. But it remains off limits to many prisoners.
Posted inPublic Safety & Criminal Justice
Camp Reunite helps kids connect with their incarcerated parents
A unique camp offers welcoming space for Wisconsin prisoners to spend time with their children, but stigma and other barriers limit its reach.