Page Title
Editor's corner/ Over a cup of tea
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Distorted budget priority
While millions of Americans are trying hard to survive in the outside world for lack of
resources and public services, the prison system eats up much of what should have gone to
respond to the people’s needs.
Wisconsin is spending more and more money on locking people up, and it imprisons more
people than our neighboring states. Well, it’s not surprising at all; and it doesn’t matter which
political party is in power, because this has been “normal” in Wisconsin for quite a while.
According to a new analysis by the Wisconsin Budget Project (headed by Jon Peacock,
Wisconsin Council on Children and Families), corrections spending increased more than 9
percent between 2001 and 2010 in inflation-adjusted terms, while spending on other
programs decreased by over 7 percent. Minnesota and Iowa, on the other hand, spend far
less on corrections than Wisconsin, the reason being that more people go to prison per
capita in Wisconsin. For example, while Minnesota imprisons 189 people per 100,000, our
state imprisons 369 people per 100,000 residents.
The main problem is, we’re talking of very scarce resources during this unfortunate period --
scarce resources which are taken away from programs that promote our community’s well-being.
Taking away a big slice of the budget from major programs, such as education, and services that help people in need
(many of whom are people of color, of course) --and diverting the money to our prisons -- is simply wrong. Many of
these programs make significant contributions to Wisconsin’s economic growth, as the Wisconsin Budget Project
analysis rightfully highlighted in their report.
“While corrections spending shot up nine percent, state spending on the University of Wisconsin System decreased
more than 20 percent. State support for K-12 schools declined by 6.3 percent.”
What benefit do we get by reducing our budget for education? Doesn’t quality of education suffer? What products of our
school system do we expect to have in the future? Would our students be able to compete very well in this global
workplace? Would they be able to contribute well into our fledgling economy, or be a part of our society’s problems?
What benefit do we get by putting more people to prison? Are we safer than ever before? And who among groups of
residents are the usual suspects? Well, African Americans and Latinos make up the bigger percentage of prisoners in
Wisconsin. Published studies abound that point to the fact that if one is Black, he is 97 times more likely to go to
prison for a drug offense than a White resident; that diversion programs include a limited number of people of color;
and that this problem is very hard to solve.
I am reminded of the solution to this same problem which Ramsey City Attorney John Choi implemented . He
championed the inclusion of restorative justice into the criminal justice system by working within the concept of
mediation for minor offenses. He also focused on community policing and making officers and offender/s open up and
talk about their particular problem, and in the process, forge community relationships.
Taking away a big slice of the budget from major programs, such as education, and services that help people in need
(many of whom are people of color, of course) --and diverting the money to our prisons -- is simply wrong. Many of
these programs make significant contributions to Wisconsin’s economic growth, as the Wisconsin Budget Project
analysis rightfully highlighted in their report.
“While corrections spending shot up nine percent, state spending on the University of Wisconsin System decreased
more than 20 percent. State support for K-12 schools declined by 6.3 percent.”
What benefit do we get by reducing our budget for education? Doesn’t quality of education suffer? What products of our
school system do we expect to have in the future? Would our students be able to compete very well in this global
workplace? Would they be able to contribute well into our fledgling economy, or be a part of our society’s problems?
What benefit do we get by putting more people to prison? Are we safer than ever before? And who among groups of
residents are the usual suspects? Well, African Americans and Latinos make up the bigger percentage of prisoners in
Wisconsin. Published studies abound that point to the fact that if one is Black, he is 97 times more likely to go to
prison for a drug offense than a White resident; that diversion programs include a limited number of people of color;
and that this problem is very hard to solve.
I am reminded of the solution to this same problem which Ramsey City Attorney John Choi implemented . He
championed the inclusion of restorative justice into the criminal justice system by working within the concept of
mediation for minor offenses. He also focused on community policing and making officers and offender/s open up and
talk about their particular problem, and in the process, forge community relationships.
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I heard that Dane County is moving in that
direction, and I’d like to salute Dane
County Executive Joe Parisi for pursuing
this solution. It’s a challenge because our
elected officials, in general, want to look
tough on crime, to assure the electorate
that the community will be “free from bad
eggs,” and therefore, safe. But this
conclusion is false. Ensuring safety does
not depend on incarceration – yes, for
major crimes – but not for minor offenses.
What benefit do we get when a lot of our
families and children lose their fathers to
prison? And let me stress that many of
these children and families are people of
color. Well, it will result in dysfunctional
families, and the cycle will continue on
and on.
For those who do not care, this is our
community and when national statistics
show how we treat community members
differently, everyone is included in the
state of “Wisconsin.”
Wisconsin’s prison growth and increase
in prison spending will only result in less
spending for programs and investments
that will help secure the state’s economic
strength; and promote dysfunctional
families in our community.
.
direction, and I’d like to salute Dane
County Executive Joe Parisi for pursuing
this solution. It’s a challenge because our
elected officials, in general, want to look
tough on crime, to assure the electorate
that the community will be “free from bad
eggs,” and therefore, safe. But this
conclusion is false. Ensuring safety does
not depend on incarceration – yes, for
major crimes – but not for minor offenses.
What benefit do we get when a lot of our
families and children lose their fathers to
prison? And let me stress that many of
these children and families are people of
color. Well, it will result in dysfunctional
families, and the cycle will continue on
and on.
For those who do not care, this is our
community and when national statistics
show how we treat community members
differently, everyone is included in the
state of “Wisconsin.”
Wisconsin’s prison growth and increase
in prison spending will only result in less
spending for programs and investments
that will help secure the state’s economic
strength; and promote dysfunctional
families in our community.
.