Madison, March 12: Community Debate: Renovate the Dane County Jail – Yay or Nay?

Community Debate: Renovate the Dane County Jail – Yay or Nay?

Since a report released last summer by the Corrections firm Mead and Hunt on recommendations for a new Dane County Jail, residents of Dane County have made their voices heard. The original proposals which ranged from $120-150 million to build a new jail or completely renovate the main part of the current one, have been all but stalled. Or have they? $8 million remains in the county budget and has been designated to renovate the worst parts of the current jail. Sheriff Dave Mahoney says at a minimum, parts of the jail need to be renovated to protect the safety of those under his care. Members of the community have insisted those funds be used otherwise, and that to truly support vulnerable members of our communi…ty, we need to get them out of the jail altogether.

The Dane County Board is currently considering a resolution about what to do with the $8 million. Will some or all of that money be used in the way the Sheriff wants to enhance the jail, and possibly build a new one piece by piece? Or will that money be used in ways suggested by groups like Young Gifted and Black to support black-led initiatives and alternatives to incarceration?

We have the making for a community debate on the following proposition:

Renovations to the Dane County Jail will ensure the safety of vulnerable people in our community.

On the affirmative side will be Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney and Dr. Doug Kramer, Professor-Emeritus, School of Psychiatry, UW School of Medicine.

On the negative side will be Morathi Adams of Young Gifted and Black and Freedom Inc and Nino Rodriguez who volunteers with the MOSES: Madison Organizing in Strength, Equality, and Solidarity Jail Taskforce and the No Dane County Jail Working Group.

The debate will be held on UW’s Campus in L160 Elvehjem (800 University Ave, beside the Chazen Art Museum) at 7 pm on Thursday March 12th. Childcare will be provided.

The debate is hosted by Dr. Karma Chávez and Dr. Sara McKinnon. Contact Karma at krchavez@wisc.edu for more info.

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