MADISON, Wis. – For the first time in a generation, thousands of Wisconsinites written off by the state’s legal system will have a clear path to returning home. The Wisconsin State Public Defenders (SPD) today commended Gov. Tony Evers for establishing a commutation board – a vital strike against the sentencing laws that have long fueled mass incarceration.
“For the many Wisconsinites who have done the hard work of redemption and are ready to come home, this is a chance to start anew. For our state, this is an opportunity to heal the scars left by decades of over-incarceration,” State Public Defender Jennifer Bias said. “Governor Evers is taking a bold and necessary step forward.”
Wisconsin has maintained one of the most rigid sentencing structures in the nation for nearly 30 years. The Truth in Sentencing laws that went into effect in 1999 created a system of punishment with no off-ramp, ignoring the possibility of rehabilitation and removing people from the community support and treatment programs that are proven to reduce recidivism.
This reliance on lengthy prison sentences has left a profound mark on Wisconsin’s communities, particularly communities of color. The newly announced Commutation Advisory Board offers a second look at the products of systemic injustice.
“We have so many people in our prisons today who have done everything asked of them and more. Their sentences have served their purpose and they have earned a second chance,” Bias said. “The State Public Defenders stand ready to assist in making this board a success in any way we can.”
More information about the Commutation Advisory Board can be found in the governor’s press release.