The number of arrests of people age 17 and under has dropped sharply in Wisconsin in recent years. The decrease reflects a drop in crime committed by juveniles, as well as changes in law enforcement practices.
Juvenile arrests in WI have continued to decline over last four years
Last Friday, Governor Evers blocked three bills that would have let Wisconsin’s wealthiest off the hook from paying what they owe and made the state’s racial wealth disparities even worse.
Wisconsin relies far too much on incarceration and blames children for system-wide failures. Instead of incarceration, a better investment for Wisconsin’s youth is in basic needs such as health, housing, and employment. Wisconsin should reimagine a community-based continuum of care grounded in youth voice, emerging adult research, and cross-system collaboration.
Kids Forward supports SB801/AB845, which would eliminate juvenile life without parole. This critical advancement towards a more developmentally appropriate juvenile justice system will reduce and repair harm, decrease racial disparities, increase child and family wellbeing, and increase opportunities for community-based alternatives to incarceration.
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