State Advocacy Groups Discuss the Problematic Costs of Wisconsin Corrections Program

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Criminal Defense

Incarceration costs are a part of every state’s budget. For Wisconsin it is much higher than the national average. The state advocacy group, Wisconsin Budget Project, recently discussed those costs and why they exist. They also discussed ideas for reform, and how some initiatives may help to reduce spending.

Incarceration Disparities Damaging Minority Communities

When compared to the rest of the nation, Wisconsin has the highest percentage of incarcerated black men — 12.8 percent (which is twice the national average) — and is also leading the nation in the number of Native American men behind bars. This incarceration means that there will be fewer job opportunities for these minorities once they are released, which leaves them struggling to support their families and their communities.

Options for Reducing Corrections Costs

Although reform cannot happen overnight, the advocacy center did have some valid suggestions for cutting back on the state’s higher than average costs on correction programs, including:

• Expansion of mental health and addiction programs to reduce the number of incarcerated minor crime offenders;
• Parole and probation program reforms to avoid revocations without new convictions (which accounted for four out of every 10 admissions to Wisconsin prisons in 2014);
• Expansion of the state’s transitional job program that would help those leaving incarceration to obtain and keep jobs that support their families and their communities (New York’s similar initiative determined that every dollar invested saved taxpayers more than two dollars);
• And an initiative that would prevent employers from asking about former convictions until later in the interview process, which would give formerly incarcerated individuals an opportunity to compete based on skills and experience and explain their situation (although in Wisconsin, it is illegal to discriminate against a job applicant because of a criminal record, unless the reason for conviction is related to the type of employment.)

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