Terrific in-depth coverage of “truth-in-sentencing”

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel merits great praise for a remarkable series of articles it is running under the banner “Locked In: The Price Of Truth In Sentencing.”

Two of the main articles ran this week, with this article, entitled “Tougher sentencing law carries hefty price,” focused primarily on the economic costs of Wisconsin’s tough truth-in-sentencing laws, and this article, entitled “Door on early release closes tightly,” focused primarily on the human costs of Wisconsin’s very limited early practices.  Articles planned for next week will cover collateral consequences and the restorative justice movement.

In addition to the main articles in the series, the Sentinel also has terrific companion pieces covering a range of additional issues relating to the harsh realities and human impact of tough truth-in-sentencing laws:

• This article, entitled “Inmates less motivated, wardens find,” highlights the adverse impact of the elimination of parole on life within prisons. 

• This article, entitled “Still seeking truth in sentencing,” provides a victim’s perspective on sentencing laws and practices.

• This article, entitled “Dueling effects,” examines the relationship between longer prison terms and crime rates.

• This article, entitled “Innovative programming is part of strategy to ease law’s problems,” details new initiatives designed to address concerns with Wisconsin’s truth-in-sentencing laws.

The series also includes a series of terrific graphics which can (and should) be examined closely; they cover the expected costs of truth-in-sentencing laws, the actual time served under truth-in-sentencing laws, and the relationship between crime and incarceration.