The Governor’s Juvenile Justice Commission has recently released its final report for its work under the administration of Governor Doyle and leadership of Dave Steingraber at the Office of Justice Assistance. The report highlights substantial achievements in the areas of disproportionate minority contact (DMC), reducing the number of status offenders held in secure confinement, working with Wisconsin’s tribal leaders, and investing in systemic change through promoting evidence based practices in juvenile justice. As the amount of juvenile justice funds coming to Wisconsin from the federal government declined over the years, the Commission made a series of strategic decisions to invest these more-limited dollars in areas of high need and focusing on what works. More recently, the Commission also took positions to return 17-year-olds to juvenile court and to support the closure of one of the two boy’s juvenile correctional institutions. More work lies ahead – but it was a productive commission and perhaps sets a standard for the next commission to be appointed by incoming Governor Scott Walker.
Act Now to Raise the Age in Wisconsin
Every young person in Wisconsin deserves the opportunity to get an education, grow up in safe communities, and realize their potential. However, due to systemic racism and injustice, youth of color are over-represented within the criminal legal system—from policing to...
