Drilldown on Ex-Offender Populations in Milwaukee County

Abstract

Since 2002, each year 7,500-8,000 Milwaukee County residents are admitted into Wisconsin Department of Corrections facilities, and 7,500-8,000 individuals are released from the DOC into neighborhoods in the county. The data entries analyzed for admission and release from DOC facilities are for any reason, including for formal alternatives to revocation or for temporary probation and parole holds. Given high recidivism rates, some adults recycle through prison a number of times. African American men make up most of the DOC admissions with more than 5,000 incarcerated into DOC per year since 2003. White male admits have totaled 1,200– 1,400 per year. Hispanics make up 400-500 male admits each year. Around 400 African American women from Milwaukee County have been incarcerated in state DOC facilities each year since 2004. About 100-200 white women have been incarcerated each year.