WISDOM, a network of Wisconsin religious organizations, has announced a campaign to reduce the state’s prison population by 11,000 individuals by 2015.
Organizers of the campaign believe that despite the increase in the number of people incarcerated in the state over the years, public safety has not grown. The network also asserts that the policies that promote mass incarceration are wasteful in terms of both lives and money. WISDOM reports that the state’s correctional costs rose to $1.3 billion dollars in 2011, a dramatic increase from the sum of less than $200 million that the state spent on corrections in 1990.
In terms of human cost, mass incarceration is responsible for fracturing families and destroying communities. Since many of those who are incarcerated are disproportionately people of color, the criminal justice system can be viewed as perpetuating racism.
Over the next few years WISDOM seeks to reduce Wisconsin’s prison population by pushing for alternatives to incarceration. The group maintains that there are already special courts in place to provide treatment instead of incarceration, including drug courts, and mental health courts. Additionally, “day report centers” have been established. Utilizing these alternatives to incarceration, WISDOM claims, will:
considerably reduce recidivism
rehabilitate individuals
allow participants in an alternative to incarceration programs to receive health care, thereby making themselves and their communities healthier
save taxpayers at least two dollars for each dollar spent
WISDOM is calling on concerned community members to join them at the campaign’s inaugural event on February 20. The 11 x 15 campaign has generated excitement both inside and outside of Wisconsin. Many of those working to eliminate mass incarceration in America view this initiative as having the potential to significantly change correctional justice policies in the U.S.
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