The Governor is calling for action to reduce racial disparities in Wisconsin's justice system.
An executive order from Governor Jim Doyle calls on the state to address the disproportionate number of African Americans and Hispanics in Wisconsin's corrections system. He says several national have shown Wisconsin at or near the top of the list when it comes to the size of those populations behind bars, compared to whites.
The recommendations the Governor is moving forward come from a special task force set up to look at the problem. The steps ordered by the Governor include calling on law enforcement to keep track of race when making arrests. He also wants better training for law enforcement to help them identify possible cases of racial discrimination. The order looks to offenders themselves to help solve the problem, by calling for more programs to help reduce recidivism.
Governor Doyle says Wisconsin clearly has a problem that needs to be faced directly.
