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.
EAG Creates Literacy Justice Coalition Wisconsin
EAG Creates Literacy Justice Coalition Wisconsin By Judy Fitzgerald, Tracy Frank, and Shel Gross For the past few years, the Education Advocacy Group (EAG) of the Racial Justice for All Children Task Force (RJAC) has focused on early literacy education and identifying students with dyslexia as high priority ways to narrow the school-to-prison pipeline. For decades, many children have not been taught with practices supported by what scientists have learned from the neuropsychological research...
Implementing Short-Term Sanctions: Notes from the July 8 DOC Hearing
Implementing Short-Term Sanctions: Notes from the July 8 DOC Hearing By Sherry Reames In 2014, the Wisconsin Legislature passed Act 196, directing the Department of Corrections to create a system of short-term sanctions. These sanctions were to provide alternatives to revocation (back to prison) for people on probation, parole, or extended supervision who violated a supervision rule. If properly implemented, this bipartisan measure would contribute substantially to the success and well-being...
“Healing Over Harm” Rally at the Governor’s Mansion on Aug. 23
"Healing Over Harm" Rally at the Governor's Mansion on Aug. 23 By Sherry Reames A good-sized crowd turned out for this WISDOM demonstration in front of the Governor’s Mansion in Maple Bluff on Saturday morning, Aug. 23. At least 20 members of MOSES were on hand, many of us with homemade signs, joining a large contingent from MICAH in Milwaukee, representatives from other WISDOM affiliates around the state, and allies from other organizations like the ACLU and the Poor People's Campaign. MOSES...
MOSES Fundraising Team Builds Momentum Toward November Gala
By MOSES President Saundra Brown The MOSES Fundraising Team has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming MOSES Gala, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22, 5:30-9 p.m. The event promises to be a celebration of resilience, community, and justice. As always, the focus of our celebration is the honoring of three formerly incarcerated individuals who are rebuilding their lives and continuing to thrive and inspire as they do so. The four-member Fundraising Team, which meets twice monthly,...
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...
A Memorable Film Event About Women in Prison
By Sherry Reames and Margaret Irwin On May 22, EXPO (Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing) sponsored the showing of an award-winning 2012 documentary, The Grey Area: Feminism Behind Bars, at the Urban League of Greater Madison. The film was followed by a panel discussion, moderated by MOSES Organizer James Morgan and featuring three previously incarcerated local women. The film had its beginnings in 2009, in a small class on feminism. Student volunteers from Grinnell College...
Organizer’s Corner
James Morgan, interviewed by Margaret Irwin As Organizer, what has stood out to you since the last newsletter? “I’m struck by the number of opportunities that are being presented to MOSES for further community-based collaborations and partnerships,” James said. “At the June General Meeting, Harry Haney spoke about the Madison Justice Team. Kina Collins, Interim Executive Director of WISDOM, spoke about plans for our statewide organization. Following those conversations, I see this as a...
Talking to Legislative Staff: A Story About Kevin
By Shel Gross Kevin is his real name. This is a true story. I’m not omitting his last name to avoid a slander lawsuit; there is no slander in this story. It is possible that someone reading this will figure out to whom I am referring. Fine. The point is that I don’t want to personalize it too much. While what Kevin did was exceptional to me, I don’t want to portray it as an exceptional occurrence. The point is that the relationships you develop with legislative staff can deliver. Big time. At...
Juneteenth
On June 21, MOSES folks and others from throughout the community, young and old, braved the heat to participate in the festive Juneteenth parade. Walkers started at the Labor Temple and moved up South Park Street, which was closed for the event, to Penn Park. The celebration at the park included music, dancing, games, vendors of souvenirs, and tasty food. Under the big tent, an array of community groups, including MOSES, provided information about their services. It was a day to reestablish...
Engaging Our Congregations: First Unitarian Society (FUS)
By Nancy Kosseff The First Unitarian Society (FUS) has been a MOSES member since 2013, following a vote at our annual parish meeting. Carol Rubin and James Morgan had stirred interest through a presentation they had made previously at FUS. At the time, our congregation was moving from a standing-committee structure to a ministry-team structure. Small groups of members could form a team focusing on a particular justice issue or parish need. The idea was that these teams would be flexible in...