Recently, the legislature passed a measure to change how bail is determined in Wisconsin. It has passed twice in consecutive legislative sessions, which means that it will now head to our April ballot as a constitutional amendment. How bail is determined is critically...
recidivism
Does releasing people before trial drive up crime rates?
When deciding who needs to remain in jail as they await trial, courts in most states should consider two things. First, is the person a danger to the community? If they are, pre-trial detention may be justified. Second, is the person a flight risk? In other words, how...
Wisconsin offers job-seeking help for those released from prison
Study after study has shown that people who find employment after being released from prison are much less likely to reoffend. Unfortunately, former prisoners are often released with limited resources, little to no job training or education, and few opportunities for...
Can Wisconsin force sex offenders into lifetime GPS monitoring without a court determination of the need?
Too often society has imposed a different standard on persons convicted of child sex offenses than it does other offenders. Even though studies show recidivism rates to be low, many people don’t object to more severe treatment of child sex offenders because of a...
Follow the evidence when evaluating sex offender registries
To many, sex offender registries seem like a good way to prevent people from committing repeat sex offenses, thereby keeping the public safer.Many believe that people who have committed sex offenses in the past are much more likely to commit them in the future....
Prison vs. probation: Equally effective at crime prevention?
Those opposed to criminal justice reform often cite worries that reducing incarceration among violent offenders would be dangerous. This argument rests on the assumption that putting violent offenders in prison is more effective at preventing future crime than other...