Commission on Reducing Racial Disparities in Wisconsin Justice System releases report, recommendations
Wisconsin
Lawyer
Vol. 81, No. 4, April
2008
Commission issues report, recommends ways to reduce justice system's
racial disparity
On Feb. 11, Gov. Jim Doyle's Commission on Reducing Racial
Disparities in the
Wisconsin Justice System released recommendations that stress the need
for fundamental
fairness throughout the justice system. The report offers suggestions
for all points of the
justice system, from law enforcement to public defenders, prosecutors,
the judiciary,
and corrections.
Recommendations cover drug enforcement, prosecutorial discretion, the
establishment
of community justice councils, and policies for probation and parole
revocations. The
report also targets areas for possible legislative action. Some of the
more than
55 recommendations include:
- Local jurisdictions should develop tracking systems to identify
race and age at
all stages of contact with the justice system.
- A statewide process or entity should be created to monitor and
track progress
in resolving racial disparity issues.
- Training and resources on racial disparity issues should be
provided to
local organizations.
- An online statewide database should be developed to collect and
disseminate information on alternative justice programs.
- Judges should take the lead in developing a community criminal
justice council
for each of the 10 judicial districts.
- Electronic technologies should be used to codify contents of court
transcripts.
A complete review of the parole process should be conducted.
Doyle appointed the commission in March 2007 in response to reports
that show
Wisconsin leads the nation in racial disparities. To download or read
the 94-page report,
visit www.equaljustice.wi.gov.
Wisconsin Lawyer
