Wisconsin Senate set to pass tougher penalties for crimes

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By TODD RICHMOND
Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Senate is scheduled to approve a series of bills on Tuesday that would keep children in the state’s troubled youth prison for longer stays and stiffen penalties for repeat offenders and offenders who get into trouble while out on parole.

The proposals are the brainchildren of Sen. Leah Vukmir. The Brookfield Republican is locked in a primary with the Delafield businessman Kevin Nicholson for the right to challenge U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin next November; the bills would help her paint herself on the campaign trail as tough on crime.

The first bill in the series concerns the length of inmate stays at the youth prison outside Irma.

Current law allows minors who are 14 or older to be placed in juvenile detention for up to three years for attempting or committing certain serious crimes, such as homicide and sexual assault.

Under the proposed bill, a juvenile who commited a crime that would be punishable by life in prison if committed by an adult could be imprisoned until age 25. The bill would eliminate the three-year limitation.

The prison has been under investigation for nearly three years amid allegations of physical and sexual abuse as well as neglect. A federal judge this year ordered staff to curb their use of pepper spray and solitary confinement. Staff insist the ruling has emboldened inmates to act violently.

The second bill would eliminate a judge’s ability to choose whether to expunge the record of offenders who are under 25 if they successfully complete their sentences. Under the bill, defendants would have to ask the judge for expungement a year after they had completed their sentences.

The third bill would require the Department of Corrections to recommend revoking someone’s parole, probation or extended supervision if he or she is charged with a crime.

The fourth bill would create a mandatory five-year minimum prison sentence for repeat offenders convicted of a wide range of crimes, including felony murder, homicide, kidnapping, arson, carjacking, child abuse and homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle or firearm.

The last bill would create a mandatory three-year minimum sentence for someone who illegally possessed a gun while on probation, parole or extended release.