WEST ALLIS, Wisc. – Governor Tony Evers continues his iron grip on public information while simultaneously letting violent criminals slip out of state custody before the end of their sentences.
“The public deserve to know how many more dangerous criminals Tony Evers has released in 2022,” said Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels.“The governor should take some time out of his 6-hour work day and give lawmakers, the media, and the public the data to which they are, by law, entitled.”
All month, Wisconsin Right Now has been reporting on the brutal murderers, child rapists, and other violent criminals being released by Evers’ Parole Commission. Excluding the 2022 parolees, whose names Evers and the stonewallers refuse to turn over, at least 884 convicted criminals have been released early by Tony Evers’ Parole Commission and are now living throughout the state. Wisconsin Right Now has sought information detailing paroles granted so far in 2022, but Evers and his administration are withholding those records. WRN has retained the services of the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty and are suing for access to the public records. Meanwhile, Evers continues his tired, old claim he has no control over his Administration’s actions.
Senator Van Wanggaard and Senator Julian Bradley wrote a letter demanding an answer to why Evers’ Department of Corrections and Parole Commission are “stonewalling and undermining the Legislature’s duty to oversee the DOC and Commission.” Wanggaard now expects to receive the information he’s long sought by tomorrow.
“At some point even the mainstream media may wonder what Tony Evers is hiding,” said Michels. “News accounts routinely indicate Evers and his administration don’t provide basic public information. He’s created a culture of secrecy that keeps taxpayers and the press in the dark.”
Four years ago, Evers vowed to trim Wisconsin’s prison population by 50 percent. Last week, Michels sent a letter to Evers urging him to temporarily halt paroles and pardons for the rest of the year “while the people of Wisconsin have the chance to re-evaluate and weigh in on [his] desire to empty out our prisons.” Evers has publicly denied the request, so Wisconsin can expect the parole spree to continue for as long as Evers remains Wisconsin’s governor.
