Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

Relief Delayed Again for Wrongly Convicted Wisconsinites 

Wrongful conviction compensation bill fails despite bipartisan support.

Proposal to Criminalize Tire Dumping Gets Senate Hearing

Public Hearing Held on Bills to Improve Health, Hygiene in Wisconsin Correctional Facilities

Bill Gives Up to $999,000 Payout for Those Wrongly Convicted

Around 72 people have been exonerated in Wisconsin since 1990.

GOP Bill Requires Homeless Sex Offenders to Wear GPS Monitors

Opponent charges ordinances on where ex-offenders can live causes homelessness.

Bill Protecting Homeless Citizens From Predatory Drug Dealers Receives Senate Hearing

Milwaukee Gets Its Wish, City Can Tow All Reckless Drivers

Loopholes made prior policies "somewhat useless."

Bill Would Make Damaging Historical Markers, Statues A Felony

Legislature also consider increasing penalties for human trafficking.

Evers Kills Bill That Would Have Made It More Difficult For Felons To Resume Voting

ACLU called proposed restrictions a 'modern-day poll tax.'

When politics take precedent over priorities, the people suffer

Statement from Alderman Lamont Westmoreland June 26, 2025

Bipartisan Bill Expands Alternatives to Prison for People with Mental Illness

'It works because you don’t see repeat involvement in the criminal justice system.'

Bill Gives Milwaukee More Leeway to Impound Recklessly Driven Cars

Proposal passed Assembly, Senate okay likely. Will police use expanded authority?

Making our streets safer must be a priority, and the time to act is now

Statement from Alderman Lamont Westmoreland June 10, 2025

The work to make our streets safer moves forward

Statement from Alderman Lamont Westmoreland April 15, 2025

Assembly Republicans Signal Openness To Closing State’s Second-Oldest Prison

Gov. Tony Evers’ proposed plan to close maximum security Green Bay Correctional Institution.

Sen. Hesselbein Announces Senate Democrats’ Committee Assignments

‘First of its Kind in Wisconsin’ Collaboration Will Support Disabled Incarcerated Youth

'Break the cycle' program aims to help youth reentering society.

Advocates Want An Ombudsman For Wisconsin’s Prisons, The State Has Other Plans

Department of Corrections pursuing outside contractor. Lawmakers could complicate both options.

Following Counselor Death, Staff, Family Plead for Help At Lincoln Hills 

Counselor's family tells Senate death could have been prevented and state failed.

Lawmakers Grill Wisconsin Prison Officials Over Safety, Employee Death at Youth Facility

The eight-hour public hearing followed the death of a Lincoln Hills employee.

Inmate Death Charges Reignite Charge To Close Wisconsin’s Oldest Prison

9 Waupun Correctional Institution staffers are accused of causing inmate deaths

Future of Lincoln Hills Remains In Limbo

Troubled youth prison needs to meet consent decree terms, or compliance monitoring will follow system to new facility.

GOP Bill To Limit John Doe Cases Against Police Passes Legislature

Officers involved in shootings can currently face charges from judges after prosecutors decline.

GOP Bill Ends John Doe Cases Against Police Involved in Fatal Shootings

Law being 'abused' by vengeful families, activists, and lawyers, legislator says.

Proposals Would Allow Guns In More Churches, More Access To Tasers

Proposals attempt to navigate existing restrictions in state law.

Police Like GOP’s John Doe Bill, Victims’ Advocates Don’t

Proposal seeks to end investigations into officers who claim to have killed someone in self defense.

Milwaukee Wants More Reckless Drivers Towed

United council backs state law change. But proposal could die in Legislature.

Bill Would Hike Bail For Past Bail Jumpers

But ACLU warns it would drastically increase number of people in pretrial detention.

Former Senator Erpenbach Could Be Confirmed As New Parole Board Leader

His former Republican colleagues will decide whether he can keep job Gov. Evers appointed him to.

Legislators Debate Changes to Cash Bail

Republicans pushing constitutional amendment to expand use of cash bail.

Senator Agard Testifies In Favor of Prohibiting Unsolicited Lewd Images

Will Lincoln Hills Youth Prison Finally Close?

And at what cost? Legislature debates the issue anew.

Bipartisan Support for Legalizing Fentanyl Testing Strips

Republicans and Democrats say bill will save lives.

Bill Increases Criminal Penalties for Butane Hash Oil

Bill passed state Senate committee on a 5 to 1 vote.

Bill Ends Criminal Penalties for Minors Engaging in Prostitution

Sen. Alberta Darling wants minors being trafficked to be treated as victims.

Racial Bias Found in Pot Prosecutions

Black Wisconsinites 4.3% more likely to be prosecuted for pot possession, new study finds.

Evers Pushes Juvenile Justice System Changes

Sweeping reforms would close youth prisons and end Serious Juvenile Offender Program.

Activists Demand Police Firings But Mayors Can’t

Barrett, McBride lament lack of control over police chief. Law insulates police from elected officials.

WILL Hires Kyle Koenen to be Policy Director Koenen brings extensive legislative experience to WILL policy team

Koenen brings extensive legislative experience to WILL policy team

Could Floyd’s Killing Lead to State Reform?

Evers calls for long-delayed bill on deadly use of force by police to be taken up by Legislature.

Do Probation Agents Need Protection?

Legislators debate bill adding penalties, possible jail time, if probation agents or their families threatened.

AG Kaul Supports Legislation to Provide Benefits to Survivors of Fallen Officers

"Thank you to the members of the legislature who are working to advance this legislation."

Bill Outlawing Sexual Contact While In Custody Moves Forward

"In an ideal world, we would not need to create a law that makes it illegal for a member of law enforcement to have sex with a person in their custody and completely at their mercy."

Realities of Anti-Shackling Bill Evoke Emotion

Shackling is the practice of using chains to restrain pregnant women, during labor and after delivery.

Senator Taylor Pushes Juvenile Corrections Reform

"I’ve been calling for something to be done about Lincoln Hills for years."

Bill to Limit Shackling of Incarcerated Women during Labor and Childbirth Passes Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

SB 393 would restrict shackling of incarcerated women during labor and childbirth.

Parole Troubles Continue as GOP Judiciary Members Confirm Gabler

"I am disappointed that my GOP colleagues voted to confirm Mr. Gabler."

Representative Subeck Testifies on Bill to Limit Shackling of Incarcerated Women during Labor and Childbirth

"We must put an end to this inhumane practice."

State Senate Committee to Consider ‘Riot’ Legislation

Vaguely Written Bills Have Clear Purpose: Intimidate and Silence Peaceful Protesters

Bill to Limit Shackling of Women in Labor Gets Public Hearing

"Shackling women who are giving birth is cruel, dangerous, and rarely necessary."

Sen. Taylor stands with 91% of Wisconsinites and against GOP repeal of training and permits for conceal carry gun owners

GOP legislators seemed determined to move forward regardless of the will of the people.

NRA-backed bill threatens school safety

"It is unfortunate that Republicans continue to side with gun lobbyists at the expense of our children’s safety"

Methamphetamine Abuse in Wisconsin Expands 250 Percent

Wisconsin DOJ, FBI, DEA, and Marshfield Clinic Brief Legislators

Sen. Lena Taylor to hold Thursday Town Hall Forum

State Senator Lena C. Taylor (D-Milwaukee) will hold a Town Hall Forum tomorrow night to engage constituents on community issues as well as legislation