Currently viewing the tag: "Wisconsin Act 28"

“Lock ‘em up and throw away the key” too costly for many states

On February 1, 2011 By

Apparently “lock ‘em up and throw away the key” isn’t working for many state’s bottom lines:
When Harry Coates campaigned for the Oklahoma state Senate in 2002, he had one approach to crime: “Lock ‘em up and throw away the key.”

Now, Coates is looking for that key. He and other tough-on-crime lawmakers [...]

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Fred “No fact checker needed” Dooley swings and misses yet again

On October 6, 2010 By

The Claim: State Senator John Lehman let Michael R. Green, who was convicted in 2007 of First Degree Reckless Homicide, out of jail early.

Analysis: In an attempt to portray State Senator John Lehman as being “soft on crime,” Fred “Fast and loose with the facts” Dooley asserted State Senator John Lehman singlehandedly let Michael [...]

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Shouldn’t we focus on results rather than legacy?

On June 7, 2010 By

In an interview with the Capital Times editorial board on May 26, Department of Corrections Secretary Rick Raemisch said he plans to shift the Department’s early release programs into high gear. Speaking about the early release programs implemented by Act 28, Raemisch noted, “I want a program so successful and so powerful that no [...]

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Only 25% recidivism? I’d say that’s progress!

On February 23, 2010 By

Just so we’re clear, I’m no fan of Wisconsin Act 28, which brought about sweeping reforms to Wisconsin’s Truth in Sentencing laws, including provisions that allowed for multiple early-release programs for inmates in Wisconsin prisons, including inmates convicted of violent offenses.

Having made that point abundantly clear, I’d like to take at what Jessica [...]

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Milwaukee officials express concern about Wisconsin DOC’s early release programs

On January 23, 2010 By

Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee County District Attorney John T. Chisholm all expressed concern Wednesday about the effects that the early release of some prisoners as a result of Wisconsin Act 28 could have on the city of Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections granted early release [...]

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Illlinois lets felons out early & in secret

On January 9, 2010 By

This is exactly why I think some provisions of Wisconsin Act 28 were poorly implemented (emphasis mine):

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn reversed a secret policy Wednesday that allowed more than 1,700 inmates to be released from state prison early, some of whom have already been sent back for new offenses, including aggravated battery, weapons [...]

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Sentencing reforms at what cost?

On December 7, 2009 By

Back in September, I wrote about the reforms to Wisconsin’s Truth in Sentencing laws that were enacted as a part of Wisconsin Act 28, and at the time I noted a good number of violent felony offenses would be statutorily eligible for early release from prison and/or early discharge from extended supervision or parole.

[...]

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The quick and dirty on WI Act 28

On September 21, 2009 By

A couple of months ago, I wrote about the provision contained within the most recent state budget, otherwise known as 2009 Wisconsin Act 28, that would make all but the most violent offenders and sex offenders potentially eligible for early release. At the time, I voiced my support for the measure, and I cited [...]

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