Rep. Goyke to Reintroduce Bi-Partisan “Missouri Model” Juvenile Justice Legislation

MADISON – State Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) will reintroduce bi-partisan juvenile justice reform legislation requiring the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) to study and report on the implementation of the “Missouri Model” of incarcerating juveniles.

In recent weeks, this promising juvenile justice model has been highlighted in Wisconsin by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and in a recent year-end interview by Attorney General Brad Schimel.

Last session, Rep. Goyke introduced Assembly Bill 746 following his personal visit to Lincoln Hills in December of 2015 after learning of the alleged abuses and subsequent investigations. This legislation received bi-partisan support in the State Assembly.

In response to the recent growing interest in the “Missouri Model” and Assembly Bill 746, Rep. Goyke is renewing his commitment to juvenile justice reform; stating:

“Our current model of incarcerating children does not work. One large institution, hours away from the State’s largest population center, has led to unacceptable outcomes and unsustainable costs. The cost of incarcerating a child at Lincoln Hills is enormous. The recidivism rate for incarcerated youth is alarmingly high.

Reduced recidivism means reduced crime. By utilizing smaller facilities closer to home, this model has produced better outcomes at a lower cost. The adoption of a new model will increase community and facility safety and decrease recidivism by creating a better secure environment for jailed children in Wisconsin.

I look forward to working with my colleagues and the DOC in the upcoming legislative session to make Wisconsin’s pursuit of adopting this juvenile justice model a reality.”

Website Links for Reference:

Assembly Bill 746: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2015/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab746

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial: http://www.jsonline.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/12/20/editorial-look-missouri-fix-lincoln-hills/95677782/

Attorney General Schimel Comments (Begin at 21 minutes): http://www.wiseye.org/Video-Archive/Event-Detail/evhdid/11168

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.