Black History Month Recommendations 2023
February 23, 2023
Creating an Oasis for Black Kids: Ozanne and Marlon Anderson Lead with Love
March 20, 2023
The April 4th, 2023 Wisconsin election will include two ballot questions that would change the way bail decisions are made in our courts by amending our state Constitution. Though there is complexity in this initiative, we believe these changes will increase inequity and racial disparities in the criminal legal system.
The Court Observers held an informational event on Thursday 3/9/2023 to share what they have learned about the referendum questions and what they have seen in recent bail hearings that cause concern. Anthony Cooper, Nehemiah’s Vice President for Strategic Partnerships & Reentry Services, also joined the info session to share his perspective.
View the recording of the info session and use the resource and reference list from the session to learn more before you vote.
Resource Materials from 3/9/2023 Information Session
Download This Resource List PDF
Slides from the Info Session
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19YV2p3RA3acQovaWIUISH3jxveJyJ4mc/view?usp=sharing
References Used in Info Session
Dane County Community Justice Council Arrest Data:
The JFA Institute: Review of Consolidated Jail Plan for Dane County, October 2021
The Sentencing Project report on Racial Disparities in Incarceration
https://www.sentencingproject.org/research/detailed-state-data-tool/
Dane County Community Justice Council Community Conversation re: Pretial Detention
January 31, 2023
The Effects of Pretrial Detention on Conviction, Future Crime, and Employment: Evidence from Randomly Assigned Judges
American Economic Review 2018, 108(2): 201–240 https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.20161503
Legislative Links
Senate Joint Resolution 2
This is the legislation that created the ballot questions:
2023 Senate Joint Resolution 2 (wisconsin.gov)
Full list of Crimes Considered as “Violent Crimes”
This is the list of crimes for which past convictions can be considered when setting bail under the proposed legislation:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MlykaP-D0TEN9_Qk80SsnCG1p5S1dgy3/view?usp=sharing
Senate Bill 75
This legislation updates existing statutes to align with the Constitutional Amendment, should it pass the referendum:
2023 Senate Bill 75 (wisconsin.gov)
Other Info
Channel 3’s For the Record
Interview with the bill’s lead author Rep. Cindi Duchow (R-99): https://youtu.be/vEujtpCA9iM
Pretrial Justice Institute: What If? 10 Questions for Sparking Local Pretrial Change
