(click here to download and print the newsletter)
Welcome to the New Executive Committee
On December 6, 2014 a new executive committee was elected for MOSES, effective immediately.
President: Rev. Jerry Hancock, First Congregational
Designated Vice President: Belinda Richardson, Breaking Barriers
Vice President: Bev Buhr, James Reeb UU Congregation
Vice President: Caliph Muab-El, Breaking Barriers
Vice President for Recruitment: Morris Waxler, First Unitarian Society
Secretary: Susan Millar, First Unitarian Society
Assistant Secretary: Nancy Kosseff, First Unitarian Society
Treasurer: Ann Lacy, Plymouth Congregational UCC
Financial Secretary: Pat Anderson, First Unitarian Society
A blueprint for achieving 11×15 by 2015
MOSES has worked for 2 years with other state affiliates of WISDOM on the 11×15 campaign, with the goal of reducing the prison population in Wisconsin from 22,000 to 11,000 by the end of 2015. Now at the start of 2015 there is a clear blueprint to arrive at this goal. Can we do it? Yes we can!
On December 10, 2014, over 150 people representing the ten WISDOM affiliates gathered at the state capitol for a press conference at which WISDOM representatives—including MOSES members Na’Zeeya Bey, Judy Cooper, Kate Edwards, Jerry Hancock, and Carol Rubin—spoke passionately about each section of the plan, before delivering copies of the 11×15 Blueprint for ending Mass Incarceration in Wisconsin to the offices of senators and assembly members from around the state. In the afternoon, ten WISDOM work groups were formed to achieve the 23 Calls to Action specified in blueprint.
How can Wisconsin reduce the prison population by almost 10,000 in one year?
3,000 through TAD, or Treatment Alternatives and Diversions programs 2,800 potential parolees, who, though eligible, have not been paroled because they were sentenced before “truth in sentencing” became the law, and so their sentences presumed parole after requirements were met 4,000 through reducing revocations that are due to infractions of rules rather than new crimes = 9,800 people each year who aren’t in prison.
To learn more about how to advocate for justice in Wisconsin, download the blueprint at http://prayforjusticeinwi.org Contact the MOSES office at info@mosesmadison.org or (608) 622-2360 for a hard copy of the blueprint, or to learn how to get involved with a work group.
A Call for Reflections on Solitary Confinement Cell
A model of a solitary confinement cell has been traveling around Madison for the past several months. Anyone, who saw that exhibit in any of its locations, is invited to write the Communications Committee about their thoughts and reflections regarding the exhibit. Send your submissions to newsletter@mosesmadison.org!
Do you have an upcoming social justice event that you think MOSES members might be interested in? Do you have an article or item to submit to the Newsletter? Send all submissions with necessary information to the MOSES communications committee for inclusion on the official calendar and newsletter at calendar@mosesmadison.org!
Experience Solitary Confinement at Edgewood College
/0 Comments/in Events /by mosesmadisonDuring the week of March 9th, stop by The Stream in the Theatre Arts building at Edgewood College in Madison WI to experience life in a solitary confinement cell. This experience is contemplative in nature and campus-wide participation is encouraged. The Solitary Cell can be reserved for an individual over a 30 or 60 minute time period. Please contact Tony Garcia, tgarcia@edgewood.edu, for group/classroom visits.
MOSES in the News
/0 Comments/in MOSES in the Media /by mosesmadisonFrom WISDOM: “Rev. Jerry Hancock, president of our MOSES affiliate in Madison, has a very fine opinion piece in the Cap Times. You can emphasize the message by telling Governor Walker that you saw the piece and that you, also, want a response to ideas included in Rev. Hancock’s article.
These ideas would save as much as $210 million in the state budget over the next two years. As Rev. Hancock says, “due diligence demands that these realistic alternatives to the mindless increase in the cost of prisons in Wisconsin be seriously considered by the Legislature during the budget-making process”.
Click here and put your zip code in the top right box to find your state legislative representatives. Tell them the same message. It’s easy. Your message doesn’t have to be long or clever.
Plan to join us in Madison on April 29 to learn more about these proposals, found in our Blueprint to End Mass Incarceration in Wisconsin, and help bring them to reality.”
Save the Date! April 29: Madison Action Day 2015
/0 Comments/in Events, Meetings /by mosesmadisonMadison Action Day
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bethel Lutheran Church
312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, WI
Cost: $25 per person includes lunch, childcare and transportation. Registration deadline is April 15. Please download and complete this form and or email info to mosesorganizer@gmail.com to register.
All contributions are welcome! Scholarship requests will be honored on a first come-first served basis. Make checks payable to MOSES and deliver during a monthly meeting. You may also mail checks to: MOSES, PO Box 7031, Madison, WI 53707
Keynote Speakers:
Reverend Everett Mitchell, Director of Community Relations of UW-Madison and Pastor at Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church in Madison.
Hannah Rosenthal: CEO and president, Milwaukee Jewish Federation
Agenda
Please indicate if you are:
For more information, email info@mosesmadison.org or call 608-622-2360.
CO-SPONSORS: Wisconsin Council of Churches, Faith Voices for Justice, Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, Lutheran Office for Public Policy, Madison Area Urban Ministry, Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Jewish Federation of Madison, Wisconsin Jewish Conference and WISDOM
February 2015 Newsletter
/0 Comments/in Newsletter /by mosesmadisonClick here to read the MOSES February 2015 Newsletter.
MOSES January Newsletter!
/0 Comments/in Newsletter /by mosesmadison(click here to download and print the newsletter)
Welcome to the New Executive Committee
On December 6, 2014 a new executive committee was elected for MOSES, effective immediately.
A blueprint for achieving 11×15 by 2015
MOSES has worked for 2 years with other state affiliates of WISDOM on the 11×15 campaign, with the goal of reducing the prison population in Wisconsin from 22,000 to 11,000 by the end of 2015. Now at the start of 2015 there is a clear blueprint to arrive at this goal. Can we do it? Yes we can!
On December 10, 2014, over 150 people representing the ten WISDOM affiliates gathered at the state capitol for a press conference at which WISDOM representatives—including MOSES members Na’Zeeya Bey, Judy Cooper, Kate Edwards, Jerry Hancock, and Carol Rubin—spoke passionately about each section of the plan, before delivering copies of the 11×15 Blueprint for ending Mass Incarceration in Wisconsin to the offices of senators and assembly members from around the state. In the afternoon, ten WISDOM work groups were formed to achieve the 23 Calls to Action specified in blueprint.
How can Wisconsin reduce the prison population by almost 10,000 in one year?
3,000 through TAD, or Treatment Alternatives and Diversions programs 2,800 potential parolees, who, though eligible, have not been paroled because they were sentenced before “truth in sentencing” became the law, and so their sentences presumed parole after requirements were met 4,000 through reducing revocations that are due to infractions of rules rather than new crimes = 9,800 people each year who aren’t in prison.
To learn more about how to advocate for justice in Wisconsin, download the blueprint at http://prayforjusticeinwi.org Contact the MOSES office at info@mosesmadison.org or (608) 622-2360 for a hard copy of the blueprint, or to learn how to get involved with a work group.
A Call for Reflections on Solitary Confinement Cell
A model of a solitary confinement cell has been traveling around Madison for the past several months. Anyone, who saw that exhibit in any of its locations, is invited to write the Communications Committee about their thoughts and reflections regarding the exhibit. Send your submissions to newsletter@mosesmadison.org!
Do you have an upcoming social justice event that you think MOSES members might be interested in? Do you have an article or item to submit to the Newsletter? Send all submissions with necessary information to the MOSES communications committee for inclusion on the official calendar and newsletter at calendar@mosesmadison.org!
Take Action NOW: Mobilizing to Fix the Dane County Jail System!
/0 Comments/in Advocacy, Meetings /by mosesmadisonThe MOSES Jail Task Force gave an update at the January monthly MOSES meeting about Dane County’s plans to study and invest in new jail facilities. MOSES opposes spending county money on new jail construction or on redundant studies.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW to act and mobilize others is available in four documents from the MOSES Jail Task Force:
THIS TUESDAY: The Dane County Public Protection and Judiciary Committee (PP&J) will discuss several issues related to the new jail (see agenda here, items on final page) including additional funding requested by Sheriff Mahoney to expand the Mead & Hunt study (with little additional study on mental health) as well as a request from Supervisors Bayrd and Pan to study Criminal Justice Reform.
What can you do NOW?
**Be prepared to stay two hours or more, as testimonies and discussion about the jail proposals may take that amount of time.
In the news:
MOSES JAIL TASK FORCE
Meets 3rd Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Optional orientation for newcomers 6:00
(Sub-committee work teams have additional meetings)
St. Mark’s Church (in basement)
605 Spruce St., Madison (Off S Park St.)
Contact: Ann Pooler, apooler@charter.net, 608-658-6847
Solitary Confinement Cell Replica & #ReformNow Video
/0 Comments/in Events, MOSES in the Media, Resources /by mosesmadisonThe replica of a solitary confinement cell will be installed at First Congregational Church in Madison, WI from January 4 – January 10, 2015.
The cell will be available for viewing during the following times:
Also, view the Reform Now video on Solitary Confinement including footage from the October 1 rally at the State Capitol:
Updates from the MOSES Jail Task Force
/0 Comments/in Advocacy, Resources /by mosesmadisonMOSES SAYS “NO” TO NEW JAIL
AND “YES” TO REDUCING INCARCERATION
MOSES’ goals are ambitious and involve multiple complicated systems. But other municipalities have already succeeded with similar goals, using evidence-based strategies. JOIN US!
Meets 3rd Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Optional orientation for newcomers 6:00
(Sub-committee work teams have additional meetings)
St. Mark’s Church (in basement)
605 Spruce St., Madison (Off So Park St.)
Contact: Ann Pooler, apooler@charter.net, 608-658-6847
Background: In July, a consultant firm (hired by the County Board) recommended that Dane County build a new jail estimated to cost $135 – $141 million. A MOSES team immediately formed to decide MOSES’ position. We studied the consultants’ 600-page report and began to attend and testify at county committee meetings.
MOSES determined that the proposal assumed a continuation of already outdated incarceration practices. We discerned that many people are in jail unnecessarily—meaning that they are not a risk to the public and are in jail only because they are waiting for a court or DOC hearing, or cannot pay fines or bail (often $500 or less). We also found racial disparities in jail alternative programs (e.g., only 16% of those released from jail on home monitoring are people of color, compared to 51% of those in jail).
MOSES rejected the new jail proposal in a position statement we released on August 25th. We presented this at a NAMI public forum, at numerous County criminal justice meetings, and to stakeholders and media. MOSES celebrated an advocacy win October 1st when the County Executive removed the jail proposal from the budget; but our work has just begun.
Please click here to access MOSES position statement including facts and figures about the jail population. Feel free to share this document widely.
December 2014 Newsletter
/0 Comments/in Newsletter /by mosesmadisonClick here to read the December 2014 MOSES Newsletter.
WISDOM Launches 11×15 Blueprint Details #11x15blueprint
/0 Comments/in Events, Resources /by mosesmadisonOn Wednesday, December 10, it was standing room only in the State Capitol as WISDOM announced its blueprint for achieving the goal of cutting Wisconsin’s prison population in half (to 11,000) by 2015. YOU are a critical part of bringing this plan to reality. If you missed the event, you can watch a recording by Wisconsin Eye.
Click here to check out a presentation you can share with your friends, family, and colleagues about the 11×15 Blueprint. (Click here to download the Power Point presentation.)
You can also click here to read the detailed executive summary for more details about the approach WISDOM and its affiliates are taking to end mass incarceration in Wisconsin.