Dane County: Think Outside the Cage

Once again, the pressure is on to advance plans for new county jail facilities in downtown Madison. The options presented by County Executive Parisi (removing features to save a few million in construction costs) and Sheriff Barrett (adding $24 million to proceed with the consolidated plan) have much in common.

Neither is based on a current estimate of how current and future community programs, including the CARES program and Crisis Triage Center, could reduce the need for jail beds. Neither would stay within the $148 million price tag approved by the County Board. Neither would close the inhumane jail facility in the City County Building before 2025. Neither is rooted in an equity analysis to ensure that Dane County stops disproportionately jailing Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color.

In 2020, the County Board largely ignored a resolution that sought to serve public safety while challenging systemic racism and racial disparities. 2020 Res 145 would more immediately, justly, and sustainably meet public safety needs by measures including:

  • Developing plans to use office space in the Public Safety Building for jail beds as well as community based recovery sites

  • Issuing warnings and citations for minor offenses

  • Increasing the use of restorative courts and implementing mental health courts

  • Reducing the use of the jail for probation and parole holds

  • Implementing virtual weekend court

  • Increasing the use of electronic monitoring

  • Reviewing charging and sentencing decisions against leading practices nationally

Progressive Dane calls on the people of Dane County, including County Board Supervisors, the County Executive and Sheriff, to think outside of the cage.

Diane Farsetta