Local News
Jail might play second fiddle to alternatives after study
La Crosse County judge part of
statewide team to improve system
Putting people in jail doesn’t always solve a community’s problems.
La Crosse County Judge Elliott Levine says jail used to be the preferred method of dealing with alcohol or drug addiction, but he’s involved in different approaches toward reducing crime.
Levine has been named to a statewide team in Wisconsin, aimed at establishing alternatives to jail and improving the justice system.
“We locked up a lot of people and we spent a lot of money on it,” Levine said. “What this says is we actually know how to look at research and reduce the cost and reduce recidivism by actually doing other things, which is not just locking people up
He expects the study process to take about three years before recommending changes which could be passed into law.