Content referencing David Liners

Despite Decline in Reported Crime, Wisconsin’s Prison Population Is Surging

Despite Decline in Reported Crime, Wisconsin’s Prison Population Is Surging

Crowding is impacting the safety at state's aging prisons. Advocates, opponents talk solutions, pitfalls.

MKE County: Supervisors Support ‘Rights of Nature’ Policy
MKE County

Supervisors Support ‘Rights of Nature’ Policy

Committee approves it. Full board could become first in state to endorse the movement.

Wisconsin Imprisons 1 in 36 Black Adults

Wisconsin Imprisons 1 in 36 Black Adults

State has the highest incarceration rate of Black residents in the country.

District Attorney Races Often Uncontested

District Attorney Races Often Uncontested

Only 7 of 71 seats in state contested in 2020. Impacts criminal justice reform.

COVID-19 Surging in State Prisons

COVID-19 Surging in State Prisons

More than 1,700 staff and one-third of all inmates have tested positive. Loved ones struggle to get information.

COVID-19 Cases Up 70% in State Prisons

COVID-19 Cases Up 70% in State Prisons

907 positive cases, up from 373 on August 21, prisons in Dodge and Racine counties have worst outbreaks.

Court Watch: Court Ruling Limits Expungement
Court Watch

Court Ruling Limits Expungement

Even minor violations of state corrections' supervision rules make ex-offenders ineligible.

State Prisons Seek More Protective Gear

State Prisons Seek More Protective Gear

Corrections department also releases holds on 1,148 nonviolent misdemeanor offenders to reduce spread of disease.

The Contrarian: The Myth of Easy Prison Reform
The Contrarian

The Myth of Easy Prison Reform

It’s caused by misinformation about “non-violent offenders” and “crimeless revocations.”

Cruel and Unusual: Evers Faces Hurdles to Cutting Prisons
Cruel and Unusual

Evers Faces Hurdles to Cutting Prisons

Governor promised to cut prison population by 50%, but has so far made no progress.

Evers Brings Back Pardon Review Board

Evers Brings Back Pardon Review Board

Walker disbanded it, wouldn’t pardon anyone in his eight years as governor.

Carr Promises Criminal Justice Reform

Carr Promises Criminal Justice Reform

“Just wait and see,” Corrections secretary says. But advocates are impatient for reform.

The State of Politics: Evers Too Slow on Prison Reform?
The State of Politics

Evers Too Slow on Prison Reform?

His budget expands prisons, doesn’t offer much reform, critics charge.

Abele, Lipscomb Announce Membership of Fair Deal Workgroup
Press Release

Abele, Lipscomb Announce Membership of Fair Deal Workgroup

Group includes diverse representation from community leaders seeking to recommend intergovernmental solutions to County funding challenges

Governor-elect Tony Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Mandela Barnes Announce Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Policy Advisory Council
Coalition Applauds Gov. Walker’s Suggestion to Rethink Highway Expansions
Press Release

Coalition Applauds Gov. Walker’s Suggestion to Rethink Highway Expansions

"Governor Walker is absolutely right: Spending billions on bigger, wider roads is not a smart use of taxpayer dollars."

New Campaign Targeting Child Poverty Launched

New Campaign Targeting Child Poverty Launched

Statewide campaign includes many faith-based groups convinced child poverty is a “moral failing.”

Jails for the Sick and Elderly

Jails for the Sick and Elderly

19% of state prisoners now over age 50, up from 5% in 1995.

Cruel and Unusual: Plan to Kill Parole Board Criticized
Cruel and Unusual

Plan to Kill Parole Board Criticized

Walker wants one person to make all decisions, plan called “cruel and inhumane.”

Court Watch: Prison for Profit?
Court Watch

Prison for Profit?

Department of Corrections seeks shortcut for new prison industries, to make money faster.

Cruel and Unusual: Judge Won’t Halt Force Feeding of Inmate
Cruel and Unusual

Judge Won’t Halt Force Feeding of Inmate

Cesar DeLeon among eight Waupun inmates on hunger strike. Medical groups condemn force feeding.

Cruel and Unusual: State Prisons “Routinely Engage in Torture,” Group Claims
Cruel and Unusual

State Prisons “Routinely Engage in Torture,” Group Claims

Faith-based advocacy group asks Gov. Walker to investigate allegations of prisoner abuse at Waupun.

Wanted: A Wiser Prison Policy
Wanted

A Wiser Prison Policy

Alternatives to prison cost less and are more effective, as a new group lobbying the legislature contends.