Content referencing Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
Relief Delayed Again for Wrongly Convicted Wisconsinites
Wrongful conviction compensation bill fails despite bipartisan support.
Mar 31st, 2026 by Andrew Kennard
Bill Gives Up to $999,000 Payout for Those Wrongly Convicted
Around 72 people have been exonerated in Wisconsin since 1990.
Jan 5th, 2026 by Andrew Kennard
GOP Bill Requires Homeless Sex Offenders to Wear GPS Monitors
Opponent charges ordinances on where ex-offenders can live causes homelessness.
Dec 23rd, 2025 by Rich Kremer
Milwaukee Gets Its Wish, City Can Tow All Reckless Drivers
Loopholes made prior policies "somewhat useless."
Oct 15th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Bill Would Make Damaging Historical Markers, Statues A Felony
Legislature also consider increasing penalties for human trafficking.
Sep 18th, 2025 by Anya van Wagtendonk
Evers Kills Bill That Would Have Made It More Difficult For Felons To Resume Voting
ACLU called proposed restrictions a 'modern-day poll tax.'
Aug 13th, 2025 by Sarah Lehr
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.'
Jun 22nd, 2025 by Devin Blake
Bill Gives Milwaukee More Leeway to Impound Recklessly Driven Cars
Proposal passed Assembly, Senate okay likely. Will police use expanded authority?
Jun 10th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Assembly Republicans Signal Openness To Closing State’s Second-Oldest Prison
Gov. Tony Evers’ proposed plan to close maximum security Green Bay Correctional Institution.
Feb 28th, 2025 by Trevor Hook
‘First of its Kind in Wisconsin’ Collaboration Will Support Disabled Incarcerated Youth
'Break the cycle' program aims to help youth reentering society.
Dec 12th, 2024 by Andrew Kennard
Advocates Want An Ombudsman For Wisconsin’s Prisons, The State Has Other Plans
Department of Corrections pursuing outside contractor. Lawmakers could complicate both options.
Oct 23rd, 2024 by Andrew Kennard
Following Counselor Death, Staff, Family Plead for Help At Lincoln Hills
Counselor's family tells Senate death could have been prevented and state failed.
Aug 16th, 2024 by Andrew Kennard
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.
Aug 7th, 2024 by Sarah Lehr
Inmate Death Charges Reignite Charge To Close Wisconsin’s Oldest Prison
9 Waupun Correctional Institution staffers are accused of causing inmate deaths
Jun 14th, 2024 by Sarah Lehr
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.
Apr 12th, 2024 by Isiah Holmes
GOP Bill To Limit John Doe Cases Against Police Passes Legislature
Officers involved in shootings can currently face charges from judges after prosecutors decline.
Feb 16th, 2024 by Isiah Holmes
GOP Bill Ends John Doe Cases Against Police Involved in Fatal Shootings
Law being 'abused' by vengeful families, activists, and lawyers, legislator says.
Feb 5th, 2024 by Isiah Holmes
Proposals Would Allow Guns In More Churches, More Access To Tasers
Proposals attempt to navigate existing restrictions in state law.
Jan 16th, 2024 by Sarah Lehr
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.
Jan 12th, 2024 by Isiah Holmes
Milwaukee Wants More Reckless Drivers Towed
United council backs state law change. But proposal could die in Legislature.
Oct 16th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Bill Would Hike Bail For Past Bail Jumpers
But ACLU warns it would drastically increase number of people in pretrial detention.
Sep 29th, 2023 by Sarah Lehr
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.
May 11th, 2023 by Sarah Lehr
Legislators Debate Changes to Cash Bail
Republicans pushing constitutional amendment to expand use of cash bail.
Jan 11th, 2023 by Anya van Wagtendonk
Will Lincoln Hills Youth Prison Finally Close?
And at what cost? Legislature debates the issue anew.
Feb 9th, 2022 by Isiah Holmes
Bipartisan Support for Legalizing Fentanyl Testing Strips
Republicans and Democrats say bill will save lives.
Jan 17th, 2022 by Isiah Holmes
Bill Increases Criminal Penalties for Butane Hash Oil
Bill passed state Senate committee on a 5 to 1 vote.
Oct 16th, 2021 by Isiah Holmes
Bill Ends Criminal Penalties for Minors Engaging in Prostitution
Sen. Alberta Darling wants minors being trafficked to be treated as victims.
Oct 15th, 2021 by Isiah Holmes
Racial Bias Found in Pot Prosecutions
Black Wisconsinites 4.3% more likely to be prosecuted for pot possession, new study finds.
Mar 22nd, 2021 by Corrinne Hess
Evers Pushes Juvenile Justice System Changes
Sweeping reforms would close youth prisons and end Serious Juvenile Offender Program.
Feb 18th, 2021 by Corrinne Hess
Activists Demand Police Firings But Mayors Can’t
Barrett, McBride lament lack of control over police chief. Law insulates police from elected officials.
Feb 8th, 2021 by Corrinne Hess
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.
Jun 3rd, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
Do Probation Agents Need Protection?
Legislators debate bill adding penalties, possible jail time, if probation agents or their families threatened.
Mar 11th, 2020 by Isiah Holmes
