A Call to Action

The Department of Corrections (DOC) is proposing to change its internal rule, DOC Rule 302, that governs classification and movement of people in prisons.  By law, they had to take public comment on the rule, and many WISDOM people offered written and verbal comments, calling for some common sense changes that would help parole-eligible people and people eligible for "compassionate release." 

The DOC ignored the comments and basically made their new rulesharder for those people. 

When the Administration tries to change rules, they are overseen by the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules.  It is the only body the DOC is accountable to, other than the Governor. But, if the Co-Chairs, one from the Assembly, and one from the Senate, decline to look at the rule or to hold hearings, the new rules automatically become official policy: they are, essentially, the law. 

The Co-Chairs of the Committee have chosen so far to ignore DOC Rule 302, and if they do nothing, it will become law on April 28.

We need to ask Assembly Representative Joan Ballweg and Senator Stephen Nass to hold a Committee hearing on DOC Rule 302. 

All you need to do is to contact their office by e-mail or, better, by phone, to ask them to hold a hearing on Chapter 302 of the Administrative Code beforeApril 28. 

You can reach them at:
    •     Rep. Joan Ballweg ~ 608-266-8077 ~ Rep.Ballweg@legis.Wisconsin.gov
    •     Senator Stephen Nass ~ 608-266-2635 ~Sen.Nass2legis.wisconsin.gov

Thank you!