Study committee finalizes recommendations for reducing recidivism

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A committee charged with studying how the state can reduce recidivism and obstacles to employment for ex-offenders is winding down.

The committee on Wednesday voted on several recommendations, concluding months of presentations and discussions that have taken place since the committee was convened earlier this year.

The meeting is expected to be the committee’s last, said committee vice-chair state Rep. Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield.

The committee unanimously on Wednesday approved a recommendation to the state Department of Corrections and Department of Health Services calling for inmates to be provided with a four-week supply of medication when they are released.

Committee member and Milwaukee County Judge David Borowski expressed dissatisfaction before casting his vote.

“It’s a good start, but four weeks is still not adequate,” he said.

The committee also gave its blessing to a recommendation calling on the Department of Corrections to encourage inmates to enroll in any health-care program they might be eligible for before they are released.

The two recommendations require the committee chair person, Alberta Darling, R-Riverhills, and Hutton to write letters to the Department of Corrections and Department of Health Services.

The recommendations were among several that the committee took up Wednesday.

Lisa Stark, a committee member and District 3 Court of Appeals Judge, said during the meeting that she felt the committee wasn’t accomplishing much by approving the recommendations.

“Aren’t they doing this already?” she said. Follow @erikastrebel