Dane County Task Force Adds Allied Drive Public Hearing
April 29, 2009
Celia Jackson and Laurie Mlatawou, Co-Chairs, Dane County Task Force on Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System
Celia Jackson (608) 266-1623
Laurie Mlatawou (608) 345-5710 or (608) 255-9455
Colleen Clark Bernhardt, Office of Equal Opportunity (608) 266-3022
County Executive
Dane County Task Force on Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System Moves Forward
The Dane County Task Force on Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System added an additional public hearing--designed as a listening session—at the Dane County Parent Council Building, 2096 Red Arrow Trail from 5-7 pm on May 6, 2009. The Task Force is made up of Dane County citizens working to identify strategies to reduce the racial disparities in Dane County’s criminal justice system, and is staffed by the Dane County Office of Equal Opportunity. Upon hearing from many residents in the first two hearings, the Task Force hopes to continue to hear from a large, diverse group in the future.
Wisconsin has consistently ranked near the top in the nation in its rate in its disproportionate representation of people of color in the criminal justice system. Dane County’s disparities are among the highest in Wisconsin. Racial disparities occur in the number of arrests, cases charged, sentences and probation and parole revocations. The task force is made up of individuals from law enforcement, community-based organizations, corrections, and the courts.
The Task Force has heard many of Dane County residents speak about their personal, and occasionally organizational, account of racial disparity. Each public hearing was highlighted by a high level public interest, comments and involvement.
The Public Hearings will be a part of the data gathering process the Task Force is currently achieving. The Dane County Task Force on Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System’s vision is to “recommend evidence-based best practices to eliminate racial disparities in the adult criminal justice system of Dane County”. Public involvement is critical to this vision.
The last two hearings are scheduled as follows:
May 6th, 2009 5-7 pm Dane County Parent Council Building
2096 Red Arrow Trail, Madison, WI
May 27, 2009 5-7 pm Warner Park Community Center
1625 Northport Drive, Madison, WI
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