Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity, and Solidarity
for Criminal Legal System Reform

News and Commentary

This page displays timely announcements, news reports, and articles written by MOSES members previously published in our newsletters, yearbook, or venues. Signed articles offer information and interpretations to support advocacy, but are not official MOSES positions. Links to official MOSES position statements may be found on this page.  The main display shows all items with the most recent first. You can select particular topics, working groups, or types of information to see the articles of one type, with the most recent first. Also see the Publications & Resources page for links to whole newsletters and yearbooks as well as other resources for research.

Commutations Are Moving Forward in Wisconsin — Here’s What Comes Next

by | Sep 7, 2026 | , , ,

Wisconsin’s commutation process is moving forward — and after decades without a meaningful pathway for commutations, this is an important moment for fair chances and transformational justice in our state. On August 21, the Governor’s Commutation Advisory Board held its first public hearing, hearing directly from 12 people seeking to have their sentences shortened. More than 800 incarcerated people have applied for consideration since Governor Tony Evers restored Wisconsin’s commutation process...

EXPO Statement about Corey Ruiz

by | Jul 27, 2026 | ,

We are sharing this infographic by EXPO (Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing) because we believe it makes some important points and is worth sharing with others as part of educating the community, but it is not an official MOSES statement. For those with screen readers, the text of the poster is given below. Text of poster: Corey's past does not justify his death. A person's history is not a death sentence. Sharing screenshots from CCAP after someone has died does not justify their death. It...

MOSES Statement about the Killing of Corey Ruiz

by | Jul 23, 2026 | ,

MOSES Statement about the Killing of Corey Ruiz July 23, 2026 by Saundra Brown, MOSES President MOSES grieves the killing of Corey Ruiz by a Madison police officer, who shot and killed him on July 22 in broad daylight on Williamson Street in Madison. We lift up our prayers and support for the family, friends and neighbors of Mr. Ruiz and for the impact on the community, which once again is suffering the traumatic killing of a Black man at the hands of police. We call on the Madison Police...

Applying for Commutations in Wisconsin: How the New Process is Going

by | Jul 8, 2026 | , , , , ,

Applying for Commutations in Wisconsin: How the New Process is Going By Sherry Reames      A lot has happened in the weeks since Gov. Evers announced the establishment of an application process for commuting (shortening) some of the long sentences currently being served in Wisconsin prisons. Most of the news so far is positive, but there have been some discouraging developments.   On the negative side, some people are exploiting this opportunity to make a profit, either financially...

Good News in Brief

by | Jul 8, 2026 | ,

Good News in Brief This time, we’re telling you some good news that’s happening right here in Dane County. The Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center, which opened in 1995, is demonstrating that healing instead of punishment works with severely troubled kids: violent recidivism is 50% less for kids treated here rather than in traditional juvenile facilities.   The center is staffed by psychologists, not corrections officers, and it’s under the state’s health department, not the Department of...

Good Sources for News About MOSES Issues

by | Jul 8, 2026 | , , ,

Good Sources for News About MOSES Issues By Sherry Reames   Wisconsin Watch describes itself as "a nonprofit organization dedicated to using journalism to make the communities of Wisconsin strong, informed and connected" and emphasizes its rigorous fact-checking and its civic mission: "to hold power accountable." The organization’s online newsletter, Wisconsin Weekly, collects stories from all over the state, with an emphasis on public policy decisions and their effects on our...

Juneteenth 2026

by | Jul 8, 2026 | , ,

Even the weather celebrated Juneteenth on Saturday, June 20, with a mild, sunny day – perfect for a parade and festivities at Penn Park. Members of MOSES joined many organizations and individuals from across the community in a day of remembrance, resilience, and resolve. The parade wound its way along Park Street from the Labor Temple to the park, where the marchers were greeted by a riot of color, sound, and delicious aromas. The day was filled with music, dancing, food, children’s...

MOSES Acts to Support Police Oversight

by | Jul 8, 2026 | , , , , ,

MOSES Acts to Support Police Oversight By Rachel Kincade  Police oversight in Madison is concentrated in two bodies. One is the Office of the Independent Police Monitor (OIPM), which investigates cases of potential police misconduct, reviews the Madison Police Standard Operating Procedures, looks at statistical data on police practices, and issues reports. The other is the Police Community Oversight Board (PCOB), which hires and supervises the Independent Police Monitor (IPM). MOSES has...

Judge Everett Mitchell Wows Audience at MOSES Lunch and Learn Justice for Dane County kids is his passion

by | Jul 8, 2026 | , , , , , , ,

Judge Everett Mitchell Wows Audience at MOSES Lunch and Learn Justice for Dane County kids is his passion   By Pam Gates   On May 20, The Honorable Judge Everett Mitchell gave an impassioned speech about his work for juvenile justice to a rapt audience of about 80. The event was a MOSES-sponsored Lunch and Learn fundraiser at Lake Edge Lutheran Church, with an excellent lunch provided by Melly Mel’s Deli and Catering. In addition to being inspirational and motivational, the event was...

Organizer’s Corner

by | Jul 8, 2026 | , , , , ,

Organizer’s Corner: James Morgan          Interviewed by Margaret Irwin   MOSES Organizer James Morgan and Michael Burch, executive director of The Crossroads Student Ministry, met with a new student group, Students Against Mass Incarceration, in June. James and Michael invited the students to a weeklong Power of Community Organizing training this summer. They look forward to building a strong and effective team on the campus, bringing MOSES resources to assist the students and getting...