MADISON, WI… Violent criminals will no longer have their sentences cut short to be back on the streets to threaten our families again under legislation by State Sen. André Jacque (R-De Pere) and Rep. Chuck Wichgers (R-Muskego) signed into law Friday afternoon. The Governor had vetoed identical legislation (2019 AB 809) last session. The bill (2021 SB 851/AB 842) has been enacted as 2021-’22 Act 227.
“I am very glad that Gov. Evers has had a change of heart on protecting our families from repeat, violent offenders,” Sen. Jacque said, noting, “Wisconsin, like the rest of the nation, is seeing a significant increase in violent crime.”
Act 227 expands the list of offenses ineligible for early parole, extended supervision, or discharge from probation to include all violent felonies and violent misdemeanors.
Sen. Jacque said law enforcement officers throughout the state have expressed concern about policies that allow known violent criminals to return quickly to their communities without appropriate consequences.
“In Milwaukee, for instance, Police Department data shows there were 102 offenders arrested in 2016 who, collectively, had been arrested 945 times for a total of 2,658 crimes over the previous decade,” noted Sen. Jacque.
“Violent offenders – including for crimes of child trafficking, bank robbery, arson, and armed burglary – should not be eligible for early release,” said Sen. Jacque, adding, “We need to protect victims and public safety as a whole by making sure that perpetrators of violent crime face the consequences of their offense. I am extremely pleased that this truth-in-sentencing law for violent criminals will help ensure that those who choose to victimize our neighborhoods are punished appropriately.”
