Number
130462
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
121009
Sponsor
ALD. ZIELINSKI AND PUENTE
Title
Substitute resolution amending the 2013-2014 State Legislative Package relating to the establishment of a state facility or facilities to house released sexually violent offenders and to end the program that places them in residential neighborhoods.
Analysis
This resolution amends the 2013-2014 "State Legislative Package Proposals" as attached to Common Council File Number 121009 by adding an item relating to the establishment of a state facility or facilities to house released sex offenders and to end the program that places them in residential neighborhoods.
Body
Whereas, Wisconsin state law provides for punishment, treatment and supervision of persons convicted or otherwise responsible for sex crimes against children, including their release into the community; and
Whereas, Chapter 980, Wis. Stats., provides for the civil commitment of sexually violent offenders, a more dangerous type of sex offender, and specifically, at s. 980.08, Wis. Stats., following such commitment and under certain conditions, provides for the supervised release of such offenders into the community; and
Whereas, Every year, a number of these sexually violent offenders meet conditions for discharge and are released back to their counties of origin under supervision; and
Whereas, A number of states across the United States, including, but not limited to, Illinois, Alabama, Iowa, Florida, Maine and Louisiana, have enacted legislation imposing restrictions upon sex offenders with respect to residency; and
Whereas, Wisconsin statutory law does not impose restrictions upon sex offenders with respect to residency; and
Whereas, A recent report by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau found that the state's program for placing treated sex offenders has no written policies for key arrangements such as housing for those individuals on supervised release; and
Whereas, The report also found that the program for placing sex offenders paid nearly $70 an hour to transport the sex offenders to treatment and work, more than twice the $31 an hour that the state pays the same company to provide similar services under a different contract; and
Whereas, According to this report, spending on the supervised program from 2010 to 2012 rose 33% to $2.8 million whereas the monthly average number of sexually dangerous people under supervised release during that period rose 22%; and
Whereas, The current state program that houses sexually violent persons in residential neighborhoods is disruptive, detrimental and potentially unsafe to neighborhoods and not the best use of taxpayers' money; and
Whereas, It is incumbent upon Governor Scott Walker and the Wisconsin Legislature to take immediate action that would establish a centralized facility or facilities to house such offenders, rather than placing them in rental houses in residential neighborhoods; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council directs the Intergovernmental Relations Division - Department of Administration to seek introduction and passage of state legislation to establish a centralized state facility or facilities to house sexually violent persons; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Common Council supports the establishment of the facility or facilities only in the state's rural communities; and, be it
Further Resolved, That Common Council Resolution File Number 121009 shall be amended by adding the following item attached to the file and identified as "2013-2014 State Legislation Package Proposals":
Common Council |
Crime and Public Safety |
Amend Chapter 980, Wis. Stats., to establish a centralized facility or facilities to house released sexually violent offenders rather than placing them in rental homes in communities, and end the program that places them in residential neighborhoods. |
Requestor
Drafter
LRB148314-3
TWM:lp
9/17/2013