Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill changes the conditions under which a person's probation, parole, or extended supervision may be revoked and allows the use of short-term sanctions as an alternative to revocation.

Under current law, a person's probation, parole, or extended supervision may be revoked if he or she violates a condition or rule of probation, parole, or extended supervision. Under this bill, a person's probation, parole, or extended supervision may not be revoked unless one of the following conditions is met:

1. The person committed three or more independent violations during his or her term of probation, parole, or extended supervision.

2. The condition that the person violated was a condition that the person not contact any specified individual.

3. The person was required to register as a sex offender with the Department of Corrections.

4. When the person violated the rule or condition, the person also allegedly committed a crime.

5. The person absconded.

Under current law, if a person admits that he or she has violated a rule or condition of probation or extended supervision, DOC may sanction the person with imprisonment for up to 90 days. Under the bill, DOC may sanction the person with imprisonment for only 30 days, unless the violation meets the grounds for revocation of probation, parole, or extended supervision, in which case DOC may sanction the person with imprisonment for up to 90 days.

Under the bill, if DOC alleges that a person on probation, parole, or extended supervision has violated a rule or condition that is not grounds for revocation, and the person does not admit to the violation or waive a hearing, the Division of Hearings and Appeals must hold a hearing on the allegation of the violation and may impose a sanction of imprisonment for up to 30 days for the violation or up to 90 days if the violation meets the grounds for revocation. Under the bill, if the person waives a hearing, DOC may impose the sanction without a hearing.

Under the bill, DOC is required to submit an annual report to the governor, the legislature, and the state courts on data related to the revocation of extended supervision and probation and recidivism. The bill requires DOC to report on the amount of cost savings that results from the limitation on incarceration for revocations imposed under this bill. The bill requires DOC to use the money saved on incarceration under this bill to fund programs to reduce recidivism.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB831,1 Section 1 . 20.410 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB831,3,3 20.410 (1) (a) General program operations. The amounts in the schedule to operate institutions and provide field services and administrative services. No payments may be made under this paragraph for payments in accordance with other states party to the interstate corrections compact under s. 302.25. Annually, there is transferred from this appropriation account to the appropriation account under par. (kj) the cost savings reported under s. 301.03 (6s) (b) 4.

AB831,2 Section 2 . 20.410 (1) (ab) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB831,3,11 20.410 (1) (ab) Corrections contracts and agreements. The amounts in the schedule for payments made in accordance with contracts entered into under ss. 301.21, 302.25, and 302.27 (1), contracts entered into with the federal government under 18 USC 5003, and intra-agency agreements relating to the placement of prisoners. Annually, there is transferred from this appropriation account to the appropriation account under par. (kj) the cost savings reported under s. 301.03 (6s) (b) 4.

AB831,3 Section 3 . 20.410 (1) (kj) of the statutes is created to read:

AB831,3,16 20.410 (1) (kj) Recidivism reduction services. All moneys transferred from the appropriation accounts under pars. (a) and (ab) to provide services to persons who are on probation, or who are soon to be or are currently on parole or extended supervision, following a felony conviction, in an effort to reduce recidivism.

AB831,4 Section 4 . 301.03 (6s) of the statutes is created to read:

AB831,3,18 301.03 (6s) (a) In this subsection, “recidivism” means any of the following:

AB831,3,20 1. A return to prison upon revocation of extended supervision, parole, or probation.

AB831,3,22 2. A conviction for a crime that was committed within 3 years of release from confinement.

AB831,4,2 (b) No later than June 15 each year, submit a report on revocations of parole, extended supervision, and probation to the governor, the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under s. 13.172 (3), and the director of state courts. The report shall include all of the following data:

AB831,4,5 1. The rate of recidivism among probationers, parolees, and persons on extended supervision by region and demographics, including the level of the recidivism event.

AB831,4,7 2. The number of and reason for revocations of probation, parole, and extended supervision by region and demographics.

AB831,4,8 3. The number and lengths of short-term sanctions imposed under s. 302.115.