This petition springs from a deeply personal experience. I have a family member who was sent to prison as a teenager and has since spent nearly 22 years behind bars. In that time, he earned a degree and has become a mentor within the prison system, assisting other inmates. Despite having served half of his given sentence and demonstrating immense personal growth and commitment, he still faces another 23 years in prison.

The current Wisconsin sentencing guidelines fail to consider the possibility of reform for those classified as violent offenders. This petition is calling for a change to this system. It is necessary to address incarceration limits for so-called violent offenders and also to expand the earned release eligibility just like it is for non-violent offenders. The underpinning aim is to reform our legal system and reinvest in human potential.

According to a report from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, 22,959 adults were held in the state prisons on January 1, 2019. These individuals are there not only because they've committed a crime, but also because they've been caught in a cycle that de-emphasizes reformation and redemption. We want to foster an environment where inmates can transform their lives and reintegrate into society, emulating the path of my family member.

We believe that a meaningful life shouldn’t be determined by past mistakes- paradoxically in our system, past errors can mean a lifetime without opportunities. By advocating for changes to sentence limits, and expanding earned release opportunities, we can provide a platform for reform and second chances.

Our plea is not for leniency, but for fairness and justice. We respectfully request your signatures supporting this much-needed change for our people, our state, and our future. Please, sign this petition today.