Prepare for Early Release of Drunk Driving Offenders in Wisconsin
MADD alerts Victims and public of what steps to take to be notified of early release of offenders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                 PLEASE CONTACT:
October 26, 2009                                                                                      John Vose, 262-617-3920
                                                                                                                  Frank Harris, 202-974-2471
       
MADISON, WISC—Today Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) notified its members of the possible early release of violent drunk driving offenders from Wisconsin Correctional facilities. MADD also urged victims to make sure they are registered with the Victims Services Office at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections in order to be notified of any early release of offenders. 

“The enacted state budget this year allows for early release of drunk drivers who killed, injured or are repeat offenders incarcerated in the State Correctional system. Although MADD believes this budgetary decision compromises the rights of victims and risks public safety, it is imperative that victims and victim survivors of these violent offenders incarcerated in Wisconsin take the necessary steps, if they so choose, to make sure they are alerted of any possible change in sentencing,” said John Vose, Leadership Chair for MADD Wisconsin. 

Victims need to register or make sure their contact information is current with the State Department of Corrections in order to be notified of possible early release so they can contest the decision. MADD encouraged its members in an email to make sure their information is up to date because the early release of violent drunk driving offenders is probable. 

In order to be notified of early release, victims and victim survivors must make sure their contact information is up to date with the Victim Services and Programs office of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections at 1-800-947-5777. For more information, please visit: http://www.wi-doc.com/Victim_Services.htm.

“The early release of drunk drivers who kill or injure people expedites the revolving door the justice system has for drunk drivers in Wisconsin,” added Vose.

Drunk driving is largely taxpayer subsidized in Wisconsin. From 1998 to 2008, 3,196 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in Wisconsin costing the state and taxpayers at least $3.5 billion. In that same time period, 67,588 people were injured in alcohol related crashes in Wisconsin costing the state and taxpayers at least $3.2 billion

“In order to close the revolving door on drunk driving in Wisconsin, MADD encourages people to contact their Assembly and Senate members to urge support of ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers or at the very least in support of AB 283 and SB 66 which requires these devices for first time offenders with a BAC of .15 or higher,” said MADD State Policy Specialist Frank Harris.

For more information on ignition interlocks, please visit www.madd.org/interlock.

###