MILWAUKEE – Governor Jim Doyle today issued an executive order directing his administration to take significant steps to reduce racial disparities in Wisconsin’s justice system. Governor Doyle called for swift action to implement specific recommendations presented by his Commission on Reducing Racial Disparities in the Wisconsin Justice System.
“I believe that all of us have a responsibility to see that our system is both fair and just. Because, for Wisconsin to thrive, every citizen must have the opportunity to succeed in our communities, our schools, and our economy, and that requires that every person is treated fairly and equally in our system of justice,” Governor Doyle said. “Far too many of our citizens, particularly young African American males, are serving time in our prisons, rather than learning in our schools or succeeding in the workplace.”
Last year, Governor Doyle created the Commission to take an honest and full look at Wisconsin’s system of justice, and offer concrete recommendations on what improvements could be made. The Commission, which was co-chaired by Senator Spencer Coggs and Madison Police Department Chief Noble Wray represented a broad section of the community including law enforcement officials, lawyers, business owners, religious leaders, and community leaders.
In Wisconsin, African-Americans, Hispanics and other minorities constitute a disproportionate percent of those in prison. In fact, Wisconsin has been at or near the top of national lists in terms of disproportionate representation of minorities in the corrections system.
The executive order issued today creates the Racial Disparities Oversight Commission, which will be charged with monitoring the recommendations. The four-person commission will be chaired by Chief Wray and will also include Dane County Circuit Court Judge James Martin; Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm; and Jennifer Bias, Deputy Director of the Trial Division and Affirmative Action Officer for the Office of the Wisconsin State Public Defender.
In addition to creating the Oversight Commission, Governor Doyle’s plans to reduce racial disparity include:
- Directing all state agencies to utilize information technology systems to track and analyze data for racial disparities in the justice system;
- Working with the Office of Justice Assistance and law enforcement agencies to provide training to recognize and eradicate racial disparities that exist in the justice system; and
- Strengthening the Department of Correction’s re-entry and support programs and ensuring fairness in parole and probation revocation and that the imposition of discipline in prison system remains race-neutral.
Read the Governor’s Executive Order at: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=13716.
To read the final report, please visit: http://oja.wi.gov/docview.asp?docid=13615&locid=97.
