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. 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.

Review of Ben Austen, Correction: Parole, Prison, and the Possibility of Change

by | Aug 30, 2024 | , ,

Ben Austen, Correction: Parole, Prison, and the Possibility of Change, New York: Flatiron Books, 2023 review by Sherry Reames   I bought this book because of its focus on long-term prisoners seeking parole, but it sheds so much light on the larger stories surrounding today's prison crisis that I think every member and friend of MOSES should read it. If we are serious about dismantling the systems of mass incarceration and the racial disparities that contribute to them, we need to...

MOSES Reaches Out to African American Churches

by | Aug 30, 2024 | , , ,

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....

Organizer’s Corner

by | Aug 30, 2024 | , , ,

Organizer’s Corner By James Morgan   The months of June, July, and August have been full of activities and growth for MOSES. We started with tabling and participation in the Juneteenth celebration and march. A huge “Thank you!” to all who participated! MOSES was also present, in collaboration with JustDane, the South Madison District police chief, and Devine’s Grilling, at the “National Night Out” anti-violence event on Madison’s south side, where our donations of food and voter...

Meet Returning Citizen Daniel Mayer

by | Aug 30, 2024 | , ,

Meet Returning Citizen Daniel Mayer By Ken Warren   Daniel has spent most of his 28 years of life as a boy and young man near Crystal Lake, Ill., in the greater Chicago area. His parents are both retired, but his father operated his own HVAC business for many years while his mother was a registered nurse. He has three sisters and one brother, all older than him. He graduated from high school in Huntley, Ill., in 2015.   In 2020, he and a female friend moved to the Janesville area,...

Some Sample Questions for Legislative Candidates

by | Aug 30, 2024 | , ,

Some Sample Questions for Legislative Candidates Compiled by Sherry Reames   With all the seats in the Wisconsin Assembly and half the seats in the Senate coming up for election this November, many of them in more competitive new districts, we should have unusual opportunities this fall to meet with candidates and learn about their priorities. Here are some suggestions from MOSES leaders about issues you might highlight and questions you might ask.   On Education:   Question:  The...

Why Is MOSES Having a Gala? 

by | Aug 30, 2024 | , , ,

Why Is MOSES Having a Gala?  By Mary Anglim and Joan Duerst    The word gala, a festive celebration – is derived from the French word galer, which means “to have a good time, to rejoice.”   The mission of MOSES is to build collective power to dismantle the systems of mass incarceration and mass supervision and to eradicate the racial disparities in our community that contribute to them.    Why is MOSES rejoicing?  Imagine that you did something that harmed the community or someone in it,...

The Marshall Project Gives the Big U.S. Picture

by | Aug 30, 2024 | , , ,

The Marshall Project Gives the Big U.S. Picture By Pam Gates I have become a subscriber to the Marshall Project, a free news service that collects important stories about all aspects of the criminal-legal system across the country – police activity, correctional facilities, individual cases, court decisions, etc., etc. I receive several emails from them every week, with brief summaries and links to fuller accounts with thorough documentation. You can request emails in specific areas of...

Thoughts from the President: Teamwork Is a Strength

by | Jun 30, 2024 | , ,

 Thoughts from the President: Teamwork Is a Strength From Saundra Brown   While every single team member’s job is important and necessary, teamwork ought never be used to bring personal gain, nor should it ever be based on ill-fated assumptions.    According to WISDOM’s Attitudes and Disciplines, we believe that everyone has something to offer, and that we need everyone’s gifts if we are to succeed.   As I look through the lens of success for MOSES, I perceive teamwork as our greatest...

A Tribute to Our Past President, Rachel Kincade

by | Jun 30, 2024 | , , ,

A Tribute to Our Past President, Rachel Kincade By Margaret Irwin   When Rachel Kincade became active in MOSES, she brought with her a wealth of experience in direct service to unhoused youth and adults. A native of Minneapolis, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and English from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Her life’s direction was set when a friend told her about the kids her teenage son brought home because they had no place to stay. Rachel and her friend decided to do...