Pubdate: Mon, 20 Apr 2009
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2009 Journal Sentinel Inc.
Contact: http://www.jsonline.com/news/editorials/submit.asp
Website: http://www.jsonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/265
Authors: Daniel Meehan, President Local 18, Brian Cunningham, Vice 
President Local 18, Waupun

ABOUT EARLY RELEASE

Gov. Jim Doyle has proposed to release some non-violent offenders 
early from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. This plan 
acknowledges the fact that Wisconsin has finite resources and that we 
no longer can afford the numerous laws that have been enacted over 
the past 15 years.

Union officials as of late have been attacked because of their 
outward support of this plan. It is this support that needs 
clarification. We support this plan because it makes an underfunded 
system safer. It allows corrections managers the opportunity to 
reward inmates for completing their programs and demonstrating 
desired behaviors. Conversely, it admonishes those inmates who 
continue to choose the wrong path.

This plan does come with some risk. It is almost certain that at some 
point, an early-released inmate will re-offend, and at that point, 
there will be a political rush to place blame and pass judgment. The 
political battle will pit those who don't want to raise taxes (but at 
the same time blindly passed laws exploding the Department of 
Corrections budget to more than $1 billion a year) against those who 
actually are coming up with some viable alternative.

Daniel Meehan President Local 18

Brian Cunningham Vice President Local 18 Waupun
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