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.
Sentencing VIolence: How Society Deals with Violent Harm
This video is an excerpt of the first Sentencing Forum specifically dealing with the importance of coming to terms with the sentences given to people who are violent offenders. It also talks about the widespread existence of violence in our society, what happens when we label people as violent offenders and the violence we inflict on people who have caused harm in our society. This video is 26 minutes long. It includes Michael O'Hear, Professor of Law at Marquette University, and Cecelia...
MOSES Sentencing Forum April 2021
This Zoom event includes many speakers about sentencing in Dane County. It includes informative presentations followed by a Q&A with judicial candidates. Part 1 is two hours. Speakers include Marquette Law Professor Michael O'Hear, UW Madison Law Professor Cecelia Klingele, Dane County District Attorney Ishmael Ozanne, State Public Defender Catherine Dorl , Judge Nicholas McNamara, people who have been incarcerated, and MOSES members. YouTube Link Part 2 continues the discussion. It is...
MOSES Presents to Dane County Legislators April 2021
This 20 minute video is MOSES members testifying to Dane County legislators. You Tube Video
Lunch and Learn with Justice Janine Geske
Judge Geske has been an long time advocate for restorative justice and an advocate for creating a human oriented justice system. She joined us for our first virtual Lunch and Learn on October 21, 2020. (Note that this recording begins with the introduction to Justice Geske.) The video is 1:11 long. Justice Geske begins at 14:21. The first 14 minutes include other members of MOSES making announcements. Note that this was an early Zoom meeting during COVID and unfortunately was not recorded to...
WISDOM Racial Equity Statement
WISDOM RACIAL EQUITY STATEMENT Adopted February 21, 2019 OUR ASPIRATIONS Racial equity is a core value of WISDOM and its affiliates and is practiced in everything we do. Diverse voices, viewpoints, opinions, thoughts, and ideas are actively encouraged and embraced throughout our organization. A culture of deep and authentic relationships throughout WISDOM and its affiliates fosters a sense of restored community and mutual caring. Our commitment to racial equity promotes a just, fair,...
Expand Your Knowledge of White Privilege and Racism
Ignorance may be bliss, but it certainly doesn't help make the world a better place or further the goals of MOSES. Some great resources are listed below. If you know of additional resources, please list them in the comments section. Videos: PBS: Race: The Power of an Illusion. This is an excellent 3 part documentary from 2003 which can be purchased from California Newsreel, and is in some county libraries. Of great value is the online companion to the series, “Background Readings” which...
Improving Mental Health Treatment in Dane County – Desired Future Conditions
Improving Mental Health Treatment in Dane County and Keeping People Out of the Criminal Justice System The criminal justice system is not designed to meet the needs of people needing mental health care. Yet, today, a large portion of people in the Dane County Jail have mental health issues (nearly 40% are receiving psychotropic medications) and there is a high racial disparity in this population. Many stakeholders in the county are now working to reduce the number of people with mental health...
May 3: Mass Incarceration and Sentencing Policy in Wisconsin: Explaining and Addressing Over-Imprisonment
May 3, 2017 6:30-8:30 pm The Red Gym, UW Madison Speakers Professor Michael O'Hear, U.W. Milwaukee Professor Cecilia Klingele, U.W. Madison Law School Talib Akbar, Vice-President of MOSES and a former prisoner
May 6 Monthly Meeting
Please join us for our monthly meeting. 9:30 Coffee and Fellowship 10:00 Meeting James Reeb Unitarian Universalist 2146 East Johnson Street Madison, WI 53704 United States + Google Map
May 9 WISDOM Prison Prevention Conference Call
5:00-6:00 pm Call: 712-432- 1601 Use code 423950 The prison population in Wisconsin has more than tripled since 1990. Wisconsin has the highest black male incarceration rate in the country. Half of African American men in their 30s in Milwaukee County have been in state prison. Incarceration is expensive and comes with additional social costs. We can keep people out of prison: Join our work to: Increase funding for Treatment Alternatives and Diversions (TAD). A 2012 study showed that by fully...