Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Contacts:     Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

John Dipko, Department of Corrections, 608-240-5060

 

 

Governor Doyle Announces New Initiative to Further Improve Criminal Justice, Corrections Systems

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that he is directing his administration to join leaders from the state’s legislative and judicial branches to develop and implement new strategies to improve Wisconsin’s criminal justice system, reduce recidivism and improve public safety.

"Ever since I became Governor, my administration has implemented smart, cost-effective programs through the bipartisan support of the Legislature to address many challenges our state is facing in criminal justice and corrections," Governor Doyle said. "Now we have the chance to make Wisconsin even more effective at slowing prison growth, reducing the number of repeat offenders, addressing the disproportionate minority representation in Wisconsin’s criminal justice system, and continuing to ensure enhanced public safety."

Earlier this year, Governor Doyle joined Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson and leaders from the state Senate and Assembly in seeking technical assistance from the non-profit, nonpartisan Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center to research and develop new ways to make Wisconsin’s criminal justice system function more effectively. Wisconsin was selected for the assistance based on its bipartisan, multi-branch commitment to improve its criminal justice and corrections systems.

"Currently we are facing the largest deficit in Wisconsin history, and unless something changes, the next decade shows additional growth in the state’s prison population, which will demand even more resources and capacity to house inmates," Governor Doyle said. "We must find more effective and cost-efficient ways to hold offenders accountable and reduce the number of repeat offenders, so that valuable resources are not spent on a growing prison population but instead on schools, basic health care for children and core services for our communities."

The initiative is receiving funding from the Public Safety Performance Project of the Pew Charitable Trusts’ Center on the States, and from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance.

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