wisdom – Page 2 – mosesmadison.org

End Solitary Confinement! Join us on Capitol Steps at Noon today (10.01.14)

October 1, 2014/0 Comments/in Events /by mosesmadison

Join WISDOM’S 11×15 Campaign on
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
12:00 Noon
The State Street Capitol Steps
Madison, Wisconsin

The international community considers any more than 15 days in Solitary Confinement to be torture. Wisconsin regularly keeps people isolated for months, and even years. WISDOM and other supporters of the 11×15 Campaign for Safer, Healthier Communities will call on Wisconsin to join other states that are finding safe, humane, effective alternatives to solitary confinement, by presenting:

Testimonials from people who have endured solitary confinement
Statements from faith and community leaders calling for REFORM NOW
A LIFE-SIZE REPLICA OF A SOLITARY CONFINEMENT CELL

Show your support for ending state-sponsored torture in Wisconsin.
For more information, contact David Liners, WISDOM Exec.Dir, at 414-736-2099

Learn more about Old Law Parole #ReformNow #ReformWisDOCNow @Wisdom4Justice

September 19, 2014/0 Comments/in Resources /by mosesmadison

In Wisconsin, more than 2,800 men and women remain incarcerated, even though they are legally eligible for parole under the terms of their original sentences. Their continued incarceration costs the state more than 96 million each year. All of these inmates were sentenced prior to the enactment of the Truth In Sentencing legislation. Consequently, many were given longer sentences with the expectation that they could be released after 25 percent of their time had been served. At this point in time, many have completed their required programs, have solid release plans, have all been incarcerated for more than 25 percent of their sentence, and many even work in the community with little to no daily supervision. Still, they are continually told that their release would impose an unreasonable risk to the public and that they have not served enough time. It is time for the Governor, the Department of the Corrections, and the Parole Commission to fix this broken, ineffective, and very expensive system, allowing these men and women to return to their families and become productive members of our society.

Reform Now: Revocations & GPS Monitoring #ReformNow

August 27, 2014/0 Comments/in Events /by mosesmadison

On Wednesday, August 20, WISDOM members from across the state gathered to speak out against the unjust and counterproductive practice of sending people to prison for “technical violations” of their parole or supervision. Click below to view a video on the event by Tim Coursen.

MOSES goes to Milwaukee #ReformWisDOCNow #ReformNow

August 20, 2014/0 Comments/in Events /by mosesmadison

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead

Today, REFORM NOW in front of the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility (and please note that those are NOT real windows – it is only a facade made to LOOK like there are windows).

James H. Hall, Jr., the President of the Milwaukee branch of the NAACP, speaking at the REFORM NOW action in front of the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility.

Reverend Willie Brisco, President of MICAH (Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope), speaking today at the REFORM NOW action in front of the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility.

Delivering WISDOM’s latest letter to Governor Walker to staff members at the state office building in Milwaukee. Speaking truth to power about unnecessary revocations and faulty GPS monitoring.

Tish Minor of Milwaukee speaks to the crowd about the NAACP and Moral Mondays.

Dr. Rose M. Scott, of Prison Action Milwaukee, speaks to the crowd. Dr. Scott is also Faculty Emeritus in Teacher Education at University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Two effective and very experienced community organizers: David Liners, the Executive Director of WISDOM, and Rev. Joe Ellwanger, who has been working for social justice since the days in which he marched with Martin Luther King, Jr.

2 Day Leadership Training June 27 and 28!

June 17, 2014/0 Comments/in Meetings /by mosesmadison

Just a reminder that the 2-day training here in Madison for formerly-incarcerated people, as well as family members of currently or formerly incarcerated people will be on June 27 and 28.

We have a good place, and it seems we have a fair number of people planning to attend. We want to ask you to encourage people who want to attend (including yourselves) to sign up as soon as possible. We especially need to know how many out-of-towners will need a place to stay.

If you have any questions, please let me know. To register for the training e-mail info@mosesmadison.org, give your contact information, and whether you will need a place to spend the night on Friday.

Voices From Inside: Wisconsin Prisoners Speak OUT

January 22, 2014/0 Comments/in Advocacy, Resources /by mosesmadison

Get Your Copy Today!

“Voices From Inside: Wisconsin Prisoners Speak Out” is now available. The book contains excerpts from some of the hundreds of letters WISDOM has received from inmates since the start of the 11×15 campaign. The letters touch upon a variety of themes, and each of them reminds us that prisoners are human beings with hopes, dreams, regrets and questions. The letters are accompanied by reflections from judges, bishops, pastors and others, as well as important facts about the criminal justice system.

Books can be obtained from any local WISDOM group or from the WISDOM office — 3195 S. Superior St., #310, Milwaukee, WI 53207. A $5 donation per book is suggested.

WISDOM Leadership Training January 11

January 6, 2014/0 Comments/in Events, Meetings /by mosesmadison

David Liners, Executive Director of WISDOM, will be providing an exciting training on Saturday, January 11 from 9am – noon at Lake Edge Lutheran Church at 4032 Monona Drive (just past the Cottage Grove intersection if you’re coming from the west; PARK IN BACK OF THE CHURCH).

The training is FREE and will focus on skills we need as individuals and as congregational members to be effective leaders for the crucial policy changes we seek in Wisconsin’s criminal justice system.

Lake Edge has graciously offered to provide beverages, including coffee and tea. WISDOM’s trainings are interactive and fun and always receive very positive reviews.

The training is especially important for new MOSES members, whether individuals or congregations, or those just curious about MOSES. If you know of any congregation considering joining MOSES, or who could benefit from exposure to our fine organization, please invite them to send representatives. (If you know of new people committed to attending, please send me an email of approximate numbers.)

Following the training, we will have a brown bag lunch hour (everyone to bring own sack lunch) at noon where we will open the floor to invite your thoughts and ideas about MOSES’ coming year– suggested changes in process or substance, what you appreciate about MOSES, how we could do better, etc. Somewhere in there we may need to fit in 10-15 minutes of reporting MOSES news. Voting members are urged to attend this hour; others are warmly welcome to participate.

Happy New Year to all,

Carol Rubin, President, MOSES

Meeting with Governor Walker and What You Can Do Now

January 4, 2014/0 Comments/in Advocacy /by mosesmadison

WISDOM leaders met with Governor Walker’s Office

About 100 WISDOM leaders from across Wisconsin and allied groups held a rally and press conference at graceEpiscopal Church in Madison. Following this meeting the group headed over to meet with Governor Walker’s office.

The meting with the Governor’s office was regarding Old Law prisoners. The Old Law refers to men and women that were sentenced under policies that expected prisoners to demonstrate good behavior and complete program conditions to earn an early release. When the new Truth in Sentencing policy came into effect, law mandated that time sentenced equal time served and time being incarcerated was adjusted to reflect this policy. It is estimated that there are thousands of men and women that are stuck between these two policies that have no way to earn release through parole.

A delegation of 8 WISDOM leaders including Christian, Muslim, and Islamic religious leaders met for an hour with Waylon Hurlburt the Senior Policy Analyst to the governor. Hurlburt said the Governor had not known about this issue but added that Walker has interest and has promised a meeting before the end of January to consider and respond to our asks to:

Review the cases of each prisoner that was sentenced under the Old Law
Direct the Parole Commission and the Department of Corrections to work together to create a path to parole for these men and women
Call for a study and issue a public report to offer transparency to the number of prisoners this would impact and how the issue would be resolved

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Call Governor Walker’s office and thank him for the meeting and let him know that you look forward to a positive response in the meeting with WISDOM next month. Governor Walker’s phone number is (608) 266-1212.

Join us for MOSES First Annual Celebration!

October 10, 2013/0 Comments/in Events /by mosesmadison

To purchase your ticket, contact Bev at 608-244-2115 or email bevobuhr@gmail.com.

MOSES/Wisdom Members Testify before the Joint Committee on Finance

April 30, 2013/0 Comments/in Advocacy /by mosesmadison

Summary by John Stedman, JONAH

MOSES team revising their comments before hearing begins

About 12 powerful leaders from MOSES / Wisdom testified before the Joint Committee on Finance on April 10, 2013. Sadly, bad weather forced the NAOMI contingent to cancel their trip. Each leader powerfully presented TAD’s from a different perspective, but they held in common the refrain “Invest in What Works” and “TAD’s Work!”. Carol Rubin did an excellent job helping her co-leaders be prepared.

The venue for the proceedings was Kalahari Resort and we were told that this was the first time JFC ever conducted hearings in Wisconsin Dells. The room was set up for about 500 and at the opening of the Hearings most chairs were filled.

JFC co-chair, Senator Darling, conducted the hearings efficiently – holding speakers to their two minutes of allotted time. Early testimony was mostly from three broad constituencies: Circus World, WI Public Schools, and Wisdom/MOSES. Testimony from the first two groups was from professionals and administrative staff. MOSES was distinguished by the power of their testimony and the fact that it was leader not staff driven.

Joan Duerst being interviewed after testimony by NBC News.

Immediately following her testimony Sister Joan was sought ought by TV 15 (NBC) for an interview.

Also immediately following the Hearing, Senator Wirch sought us out and commended everyone for their terrific testimony. He encouraged us to continue to push TAD’s. He said the Wisdom presence at hearings in Greendale, Green Bay and Wisconsin Dells was very definitely “Having an impact”. He hoped we would be in Baldwin and I assured him we would be there. He said that while he felt we would not get all we asked for, he felt it likely we would see some increased funding for Drug Courts and Veterans Courts.

MOSES members waiting to testify.

I was very proud to be associated with Wisdom and all the MOSES leaders.

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Get Your Copy Today!

WISDOM leaders met with Governor Walker’s Office

Summary by John Stedman, JONAH