Lawmakers To Convene Study Committee On Recidivism, Employment Barriers

State lawmakers will convene a study committee this summer to discuss potential changes to laws governing ex-offenders in Wisconsin.

The committee will look at ways to prevent offenders from returning to prison after their release and how to remove barriers to employment for them.

“In looking at what’s going on around the country in criminal justice reform, I would say that our state is lagging, because we have had none,” said Jerome Dillard, lead organizer for Ex-Prisoners Organizing, who will sit on the committee.

According to Wisconsin Department of Corrections, recidivism rates have been mostly declining in the state in recent years. In 2011, the one-year recidivism rate was 14 percent. In 1990, it was 22 percent.

Dillard said he is particularly looking forward to discussions about removing obstacles to employment.

“There’s no doubt that individuals want to do right, they want to work, they want to take care of their families, but when you have so many barriers before you, it seems to just bring a point of hopelessness,” he said.

The committee, which is comprised of 10 community members and six lawmakers, is expected to begin meeting this summer.