DISTURBING REPORT

In a recent U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics study, Wisconsin was found to
be the nation's "leader" in the incarceration of black offenders despite
the fact that the state's black population is less than 7 percent.

Wisconsin leads the nation with an astounding 4,058 prison and jail inmates
per 100,000, as compared to the 350 per 100,000 for whites.

Wisconsin also led the nation in the number of inmates (primarily African
American males), who are exported to prisons outside of the state (3,318).
Experts tend to attribute the disparity of incarceration between African
Americans and whites to drugs. I question, how this can be when data
clearly indicates that there is more drug use by whites than there is by
blacks?

As a citizen who believes in the true concept of justice, as an
African-American woman who constantly has to wage a fight for equal justice
for all, and as a Public Defender Board member who provides oversight to an
agency that serves many of these offenders, I find the results of this
study to be deeply disturbing.

In fact, I find them to be horrifying. Given the report, the fact that the
State Public Defender's Office is not adequately funded should not be a
surprise. Aside from the moral cost of incarceration rates, there is an
economic cost as well. And, no one should ever fall victim to ignoring the
cost to our families and our communities.

Wisconsin citizens and policy makers have to take note: we cannot continue
to do the same things we always have done, and get different results. Look
where it got us! Law enforcement and prosecutors cannot continue to be
allowed to target the African-American population.

Given the situation here in Wisconsin, there is an obvious need to look at
alternatives to incarceration. For example, Attorney Jennifer Bias-Luter,
in the State Public Defender's Office is currently working with other
stakeholders in order to develop a diversion program that can be modeled
around the entire state.

Changing the trend identified in the U.S. Bureau of Justice study will not
be quick or easy. But, it is necessary. As adults, not only are our futures
at stake, but our children's futures are in jeopardy as well.

Stella A. Young

Racine, member and secretary,

Wisconsin State Public Defenders Board