Representative Clancy Responds to Governor Evers’ Statement on Conditions of Confinement

MADISON, Wis. – Governor Evers announced measures yesterday to start to address the unacceptable conditions of confinement in our State institutions. Democratic lawmakers introduced a package of legislation earlier this month to work to address these concerns. The package included 17 bills to address the current state of conditions and lockdowns in state prisons and county jails by addressing labor rights, personal hygiene, movements and programming, communications, facility modifications, and oversight and transparency.

Today, at 11 am, advocates from the faith based group WISDOM staged a public demonstration against the Department of Corrections in response to the announcement to end the lockdowns and reduce the number of people the state incarcerates.

Representative Clancy (D-19) issued the following statement:

“I am grateful that the Governor has seen the dire conditions in our state correctional institutions and has responded in good faith to our package of legislation and the concerns behind them with administrative effort. However, the package was created based on the lived experiences of the people we incarcerate. The stakes are too high not to have a more comprehensive and immediate response to these needs.

Advocates at the rally today are not optimistic about the Governor’s announcement and want to see the Governor fulfill his promise to reduce incarceration. I remain in solidarity with them to hold the Governor’s office and the legislature accountable for the improvement of conditions in our state institutions. ”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.