ABOUT EARLY RELEASE

Gov. Jim Doyle has proposed to release some non-violent offenders
early from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. This plan
acknowledges the fact that Wisconsin has finite resources and that we
no longer can afford the numerous laws that have been enacted over
the past 15 years.

Union officials as of late have been attacked because of their
outward support of this plan. It is this support that needs
clarification. We support this plan because it makes an underfunded
system safer. It allows corrections managers the opportunity to
reward inmates for completing their programs and demonstrating
desired behaviors. Conversely, it admonishes those inmates who
continue to choose the wrong path.

This plan does come with some risk. It is almost certain that at some
point, an early-released inmate will re-offend, and at that point,
there will be a political rush to place blame and pass judgment. The
political battle will pit those who don't want to raise taxes (but at
the same time blindly passed laws exploding the Department of
Corrections budget to more than $1 billion a year) against those who
actually are coming up with some viable alternative.

Daniel Meehan President Local 18

Brian Cunningham Vice President Local 18 Waupun