Call to Action: Dane County Budget
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Important reform for WI Dept of Corrections Reform of Community Supervision
Important reform for WI Dept of Corrections Reform of Community Supervision
(Parole, Probation and Extended Supervision)
People who are in the community but still under supervision of the Dept of Corrections have to live by a number of rules dictated by their parole agent. If someone breaks one or more of those rules they can be sent back to prison (revoked) or sanctioned. In 2024 just under 30% of the people entering the prison system in 2024 were revoked without having been convicted of a new crime. Sanctions can take different forms. A sanction could be an increased frequency of visits to a parole officer, or an increased number of drug tests. Often a sanction will be incarceration in a jail.
In 2014 a bipartisan bill (Act 196) was passed to change the DOC sanctions policy. Following the lead of Hawaii and other states, the DOC was required to: 1) create and publish a standard set of sanctions for breaking the rules of supervision. 2) consider the impact of any sanctions on the job, housing and family of the person under supervision.
The Dept of Corrections has NOT implemented this law in the 11 years since it was passed. They define a short term sanction as any incarceration less than 90 days and do not consider the impact of the sanctions on the integration of the person into our communities.
A common saying is that everyone reentering society from incarceration has at least three major tasks: 1) Find work (legal money) 2) Find housing and 3) Develop a positive social network.
For someone in a low wage job even a week of incarceration is likely to make them lose their job and housing. It destroys whatever progress they have made integrating into our communities. That person has to start all over trying to find a productive way to live in our communities.
Before Aug 8th. We have a chance to influence the Dept of Corrections by submitting comments on their proposed rules:
Written comments will be accepted into the record and receive the same consideration as testimony presented at the hearing if they are received by August 8th, 2025.
Written comments can be mailed to the address written below or emailed to DOCAdministrativeRulesCommittee@wisconsin.gov.
Public comments can also be made at the Wisconsin State Legislature Website: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code.
DOC Administrative Rules Committee
Caitlin Washburn,
Administrative Rules Coordinator
P.O. Box 7925
Madison, WI 53707-7925
Resources From MOSES, MOSES People and WISDOM
https://www.riverwestradio.com/episode/expo-ex-prisoners-organizing-0323-about-act-196-and-more/
Tom Gilbert on Expo radio before the hearings (Transcript)
Tom Gilbert on Expo Radio after the hearings.
Background Information And Suggestions for Testimony and Comment on Proposed Rules
https://www.wpr.org/justice/swift-and-certain-aims-lower-recidivism-drug-addicts
Here is an article that Gil Halsted wrote and recorded in 2014 for Wisonsin Public Radio on Swift and Certain back when it was initially passed. It is mostly interesting because of how the law was viewed by the people who passed the legislation. You can see Gil was thinking of it as mostly for the treatment courts, probably because he interviewed Nygren.
More Resources about Short Term Sanctions
Wisconsin Justice Initiative blog has something about act 196
https://www.riverwestradio.com/episode/expo-ex-prisoners-organizing-0323-about-act-196-and-more/ Tom Gilbert on Expo radio (Transcript)
WISDOM backgrounder https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:bfd10cca-bebb-4f97-8455-82eb7dd75502?emci=1b9f08ca-d252-f011-8f7c-6045bdfe8e9c&emdi=665007be-d852-f011-8f7c-6045bdfe8e9c&ceid=22210
DOC reports
- June 2025 population report https://doc.wi.gov/DataResearch/WeeklyPopulationReports/06272025.pdf
- Number incarcerated (adult) 17,681
- Adult community corrections 63,435
- Probation and Parole in Custody
- 578 MSDF
- 500 Jails short term sanctions
- Community supervision year in review 2024 https://doc.wi.gov/DataResearch/DataAndReports/DCCYearInReview.pdf
- DOC dashboards
- holds and short-term sanctions DOC Holds and Short-Term Sanctions Dashboard
- up to 90 days
- offender must sign a statement admitting violation.
- 6/30/25 2810 holds, 371 sanctions, 3181 total
- revocations NOTE: DATA CAN BE DOWNLOADED DOC Revocations and Other Responses to Violations Dashboards
- DOC Release from Prison Recidivism Dashboards
- holds and short-term sanctions DOC Holds and Short-Term Sanctions Dashboard
Notes from the November 2024 Summit on Homelessness
By Patti LaCross
This year the Temporary Education Program leaders of MMSD and Sun Prairie Schools, in coordination with the Education+ Advocacy Group of the Homeless Services Consortium (HSC) in which I participate, expanded the annual Homeless Awareness effort to include other Dane County schools.
Here is some of what we heard that day:
- While the average US housing vacancy is 2%, Wisconsin’s is now less than ½%. Dane County has the largest housing gap in the state, already 11,000 short.
- Our driver of homelessness is not poverty so much as affordability. Milwaukee rents average $950/month for one bedroom, $1000/month for two bedrooms. Madison’s averages are $1430 for one bedroom and $1700 for two bedrooms, and rising. Wisconsin landlords aren’t held to a rent ceiling.
- This fall MMSD was serving over 800 students experiencing homelessness, with many more doubled-up, often precariously. In Sun Prairie those who renew their lease are paying $400 more per month, and shelters have a 300-person waitlist. Last year’s number of about 150 homeless students was doubling
- Outlying communities reported their first waves of homeless students, in single to double digits. With little capacity and no funding, they depend on churches to help. At least one community has developed a proactive policing policy to protect those unhoused.
Since then, on February 12 the HSC Education & Advocacy Committee endorsed a challenge by advocates to the management of the Beacon, which provides day shelter for the unhoused. They point out that access to housing navigation in that space would help guests move toward housing. The committee also raised concerns about whether Dane County’s practice of not asking or recording information about immigrant status may be challenged by the new federal administration. For more information check out the Dane County Homeless Justice Initiative.
Actions you are invited to take:
- National Low Income Housing Coalition – Regarding passage of a final fiscal
year 2025 spending bill: https://nlihc.quorum.us/campaign/81487/
- EndHomelessness.org – NAEH bill, ensuring funding for homeless and housing programs: https://endhomelessness.org/actions/ act-now-federal-homelessness-funding-still-at-risk/
- The Continuum of Care (CoC) funds support permanent housing through HUD (Federal Housing and Urban Development funds). These funds may be increasingly at risk if the new administration continues to cut the HUD budget and workforce.
Thanks for your interest and possible support! The Housing Group of the Racial Justice for All Children Taskforce welcomes you to join us on Zoom on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 4:30 to 6pm. These are All Our Children!
Gearing Up for a Big Madison Action Day (Thursday, April 10)
Gearing Up for a Big Madison Action Day (Thursday, April 10)
by Sherry Reames
Although Madison Action Day is still a few weeks away, it’s definitely not too early to start
preparing. The essential first step this year may be to shift our focus from discouraging national
news to the relatively hopeful outlook for our issues here in Wisconsin. We have a better partisan balance in our State Legislature than we’ve seen in many years, a large number of new legislators to meet, and a budget proposal from Governor Evers that includes some of WISDOM’s highest priorities, most obviously the closure of the antiquated prison at Green Bay without building a new prison to replace it. So we will have lots to discuss with our legislators and are hoping for an extra-large and enthusiastic turnout.
If you don’t know what to expert, here’s a quick overview of the day’s schedule.
- 9 am– Check-in at Madison Masonic Center, 301 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Madison
- WISDOM program– Brief videos introducing all the WISDOM affiliates, presentation of priority issues by inspiring leaders from around the state, music (including songs by Madison’s own Raging Grannies), and a call to action
- Informal lunch and discussion of plans for the afternoon
- March to the Capitol (for those who can; rides available for those who can’t)
- Small-group visits to legislative offices, probably starting at 1 or 1:30 pm
- Gather at Grace Episcopal Church (across the street from the Capitol) to relax and discuss what we learned
Please spread the word about this event! Let your congregations, neighbors, and friends know that Madison Action Day is a great opportunity for learning, inspiration, meaningful activism, and even some fun, and invite them to join us. Here’s the registration link:
bit.ly/madisonactionday2025 .
Please register as soon as possible, and remind others to do likewise. It’s not crucial to pay immediately, but the WISDOM organizing committee needs everybody’s names and details well ahead of time. Here’s why: besides placing advance orders for everybody’s T-shirts and lunches, the organizing committee has the big job of matching attendees with legislators, trying to make sure that every single senator and assembly rep will have a visit, either from their own constituents or (if necessary) by volunteers from MOSES and other large affiliates.
Please consider participating in the following training opportunities, which are designed to increase the effectiveness of our lobbying efforts this year:
- WISDOM State budget trainings (including one in Madison on Saturday afternoon, March 15, from 1 to 3 pm, location TBA) will include both expert tips on messaging and story-telling and the opportunity to practice these skills.
New this year! An orientation session for Action Day attendees a week before the event (Thursday evening, April 3, probably on zoom from 6 to 7 pm) will help teams of legislative visitors get organized in advance (deciding who will facilitate, who will speak on each issue, etc.), as well as providing more messaging tips and practice.
Don’t Forget to Vote on April 1
Don’t Forget to Vote on April 1
From League of Women Voters materials, with thanks to Aileen Nettleto
On April 1, we will have the opportunity to help select the next Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice and determine whether the Wisconsin State Constitution is amended again. Make your vote count! Educate yourself on the candidates and the issues
Wisconsin State Supreme Court Justice
The two candidates for the open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court justice are Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel. This non-partisan election for the 10-year term will determine the control of the Supreme Court. Make your voice heard!
The Wisconsin Supreme Court decides important questions of state law, according to the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court Voter Guide compiled by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. “This year, the Court will rule on an attempt to reactivate the state’s 175-year-old abortion ban … The Court is also expected to hear an appeal of a Dane County judge’s decision that overturned Act 10, restoring collective bargaining rights to unions representing 100,000 teachers and other public employees. The winner will rule on any potential redistricting and voting rules cases.”
What positions have the candidates taken on these and other positions? Here are a few examples from the LWV WI Supreme Court Voter Guide (which also includes footnotes that identify the source of each statement):
Susan Crawford:
- On abortion, Crawford supports women’s “access to reproductive health care.”
- On criminal justice, she supports “restorative justice,” transparency in sentencing data, and “diversion programs (like Drug Court) that hold people accountable while giving them a chance to avoid a conviction.”
- On her priorities, she believes “in protecting the basic rights and freedoms of Wisconsinites.” She has said she is “committed as a judge to ensuring that the courtroom presents a level playing field…and that the court is in a position to… act as a check and balance on the other branches of government.”
- On voting rules, she has opposed voter ID laws. She has supported giving a voter the option of swearing under penalty of perjury “that you are who you say you are and you’re an eligible voter.”
Brad Schimel:
- On abortion, Schimel says he’s pro-life and that Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban is valid. In 2012 he signed a legal white paper that endorsed making “it a crime to intentionally destroy the life of an unborn child unless it is necessary to save the life of the mother.”
- On criminal justice, as attorney general he supported a WI constitutional amendment letting crime victims participate more in court proceedings and have personal information sealed.
- On labor, he supports protecting Act 10, which outlawed collective bargaining for public employee unions.
- On his priorities, he “will take back the Wisconsin Supreme Court and end the madness” of “rogue judges…putting their radical agenda above the law.”
- On voting rules, Schimel supported Wisconsin’s 2011 voter ID law. As attorney general he attempted to limit early voting in Milwaukee and Madison.
You can find further information about each candidate’s credentials and endorsements in the LWV WI Supreme Court Voter Guide at https://guides.vote/guide/2025-wisconsin-supreme-court-voter-guide-crawford-v-schimel
Proposed State Constitutional Amendment
“Wisconsin voters will be asked one question to amend the constitution on their April ballot. Wisconsin already has a strict voter ID law on the books. This constitutional amendment seeks to enshrine Wisconsin’s voter ID law in the state constitution, [which] would make it harder to remove the photo ID requirement and limit the court’s ability to protect voters disenfranchised by the law.”
Voters will be asked to vote YES or NO on this question:
“Photographic identification for voting. Shall section 1m of article III of the constitution be created to require that voters present valid photographic identification verifying their identity in order to vote in any election, subject to exceptions which may be established by law?”
The LWV WI recommends VOTE NO. Here’s why:
“Wisconsin’s voter ID law disenfranchises eligible voters. Wisconsin’s photo ID law is among the most restrictive in the nation. Research from VoteRiders, the Brennan Center, and the University of Maryland revealed that 34.5 million voting-age US citizens …lack an unexpired, acceptable photo ID, which can lead to difficulties at the polls as a result.”
MOSES Reaches Out to African American Churches
MOSES Reaches Out to African American Churches
By Saundra Brown and Pam Gates
One of President Saundra Brown’s goals for MOSES is deeper involvement by local African American churches. To that end, she has been setting up visits by small MOSES groups to different African American churches. Four visits have already happened. Each visiting MOSES group is accompanied by Saundra and/or James Morgan, our organizer.
On April 21, the MOSES executive committee attended service at St. Paul AME Church with both Saundra and James, who made an impressive presentation about MOSES. We felt welcomed into their community by the Rev. Greg Armstrong and his congregation, and after the service we chatted with church members about MOSES. St. Paul is already a MOSES member; the goal of this visit was to encourage their greater participation.
On June 23, the Racial Equity Team attended the Sunday service at Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church, where the lead pastor is the Rev. David Hart. President Saundra gave the MOSES presentation. The congregation was very interested in MOSES, and Saundra has been in continuing contact with them as they consider whether to join, though they have not yet become members.
On July 21, several MOSES members attended services at S.S. Morris Community AME Church with Saundra, who spoke on behalf of MOSES, sharing our mission statement, our advocacy work, and her own personal rationale for inviting S.S. Morris to join us. After the presentation, Pastor Karla Garcia said, “We got you!”
After the service, we shared MOSES yearbooks, newsletters, etc., with members, as well as a sign-up sheet. At least 10 members completed feedback forms. Their contact information has been entered into our database, so that they can stay informed and in contact.
On Aug. 18, MOSES members, including the Communications Team, attended the service at Second Baptist Church. The Rev. Anthony Wade and his congregation gave the service, and, again, MOSES members felt very welcome. Saundra and James made moving presentations, and Rev. Wade stated, before the service was even over, that Second Baptist was joining us! There seemed to be general enthusiasm for this decision as we mingled after the service, sharing yearbooks, newsletters, and fellowship.
Upcoming visits that have already been arranged include Mt. Zion Baptist in September and Fountain of Life in October, both on the third Sunday. If you would like to participate in any of these visits, please feel free to do so. They are not limited to the group that has agreed to come. Contact President Saundra Brown at president.moses.madison@gmail.com for more information.