Republican and Democratic legislative candidates share views on criminal justice reform • Wisconsin Examiner

“It's one of those fear-mongering things that certain people are putting out there, along with several other laws that make it difficult for people who are working really hard to turn their lives around to move forward and get out of prison … it's one of many laws that have basically demonized the criminal justice system,” Reilly said.

Allen did not rule out parole reform in Wisconsin. He said, “Our primary goal should continue to be public safety” and “any reform should be viewed from that perspective.”

“My constituents have described to me a lack of incentives for good behavior and reform for inmates in our prisons,” Allen said. “I have been told that there is a certain culture of extortion that enables intimidation among the prison population. I am not sure what reforms would be useful at this point, but a comprehensive review of current practices would help.”

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) is currently negotiating with a third party, Falcon Correctional and Community Services, to conduct a Review of DOC guidelines and procedures and make recommendations.

Candidates respond to investigation into problematic prisons

When asked about the prisons in Green Bay and Waupun, the candidates gave different answers.

Democrat Amaad Rivera-Wagner is running for the 90th congressional district, which includes central Green Bay and is a likely Democratic seat. Wisconsin Watch reportedHe spoke about housing offenders, creating space and room elsewhere before abolishing the GBCI, and implementing criminal justice reforms such as bail reform and the legalization of marijuana.

“I think that people can walk in Green Bay and in the legislature and chew gum at the same time,” Rivera-Wagner said. “…And we've seen how overcrowding has caused problems in this prison…We've seen that the occupancy there is less than 80% capacity. And so we need to take immediate action to change that.”

According to DOC data, GBCI's current vacancy rate for correctional officers and sergeants is 11.6%.

In a letter published by Fox 11 in MayWisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said any plan to close GBCI “must be comprehensive and considered holistically based on the needs of Wisconsin's adult correctional program.” He also said a new facility would not realistically be able to begin housing inmates this decade.

Evers said there needs to be “a serious discussion about criminal justice reform in Wisconsin” and a serious effort to reach consensus on “evidence-based, science-based measures” to reduce Wisconsin's prison population, with a focus on treatment and rehabilitation.

“Any conversation about closing GBCI must start there,” Evers said.

Jessica Henderson, Rivera-Wagner's Republican opponent, told the Examiner she supports closing the Green Bay and Waupun facilities “as long as it does not mean releasing violent offenders into society.”

Henderson said there is a shortage of mental health services, which can lead to more people being incarcerated. In her experience, access to mental health care reduces incarceration numbers. Reducing the prison population would make operating Green Bay and Waupun unnecessary, she said.

Democrat Jamie Wall is running for Senate District 30, which includes the Green Bay metropolitan area and whose seats are undecided. Wisconsin Watch reportedHe said closing prisons requires deciding what to do with the people incarcerated there, which means looking at what the prison and criminal justice system should look like. He advocated for increased alcohol and drug treatment for nonviolent offenders.

“Unfortunately, all of this was messed up in Madison by partisan politics,” Wall said. “And I think my opponent contributed to that.”

Wall's opponent, Jim Rafter, has divided Waupun and GBCI inmates into three groups: people serving life sentences, people with significant mental health problems, and people who have committed serious crimes but have a chance at rehabilitation. He supports closing both prisons.

“We need a facility that meets these unique needs from day one and offers specialized programs and services,” Rafter said. “Because 90% of incarcerated people will eventually be released, it is critical that we provide the necessary resources to ensure their safety. reintegration into our communities.”

Democrat Ryan Spaude is running for the 89th congressional district, which includes Ashwaubenon and borders the Fox River to the east. Wisconsin Watch reported.

“We could probably talk about other facilities, but you can't just close a maximum security prison,” Spaude said. “It has to be replaced.”

In a question from SOPHIA, the respondents said, among other things, that they believe by reducing non-crime revocations and expanding earned release programs and treatment alternatives, Wisconsin could reduce its prison population and close the two facilities without building a new one.

Reilly said Minnesota has the same demographics as Wisconsin, but it does a “phenomenally better job.” He echoed Henderson's message on mental health.

“…Many people are in prison because of their addiction, they are there because of mental health issues, they are there because they may even have cognitive impairments,” Reilly said.

Reilly advocated closing the two prisons without building a new one. Allen told the Examiner via email that “a new prison must be built.”

Republican Rep. David Steffen of Green Bay told the Examiner the two prisons are too expensive, too small and too dangerous to continue operating. Replacing them with a modern facility would reduce operating and maintenance costs and create a safer, more productive environment for staff and inmates, he said.

In a statement in April, Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers) said said that because of Wisconsin's budget surplus, “there has never been a better opportunity for the plan to close the GBCI and build a new prison.”

Criminal justice was not the only topic covered in the SOPHIA forum and in the interviews by JOSHUA and League of Women Voters. The interviews with the candidates can be found on LOWV's YouTube page.

Sortwell's office said he was unavailable for comment.

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