Wisconsin lawmakers are considering a Republican-sponsored bill that would require the state's parole commission to adhere to open meetings laws and publish its decisions online. Additionally, the Department of Corrections would need to post any guidance documents used by the commission and provide the names of individuals granted or denied parole, along with those returned to prison for parole violations, on a monthly and annual basis. The Assembly Committee on State Affairs held a public hearing on the bill, but no vote was expected at that time. The legislation seeks to address criticisms of the parole commission by increasing transparency and accountability, which has been supported by organizations such as the Wisconsin Newspaper Association and the Wisconsin Professional Police Association. While Evers' spokesperson suggested that the governor's budget proposal could clarify the commission's responsibilities, it remains to be seen whether the bill will gain enough support to pass in both the Assembly and Senate.
Republican lawmakers have been critical of the parole commission since May 2022, when it decided to parole convicted murderer Douglas Balsewicz after he had served 25 years of his 80-year sentence. Balsewicz had fatally stabbed his wife, Johanna Balsewicz, in West Allis in 1997. The commission’s chair, John Tate, a Democratic appointee of Governor Tony Evers, approved the decision, prompting outrage from Johanna Balsewicz’s family. Several Republicans running for governor at the time demanded Evers intervene, but he lacked the power to rescind paroles unilaterally. In response to the criticism, Evers met with Johanna Balsewicz’s family and asked Tate to rescind Douglas Balsewicz’s parole, citing the family’s inadequate opportunity to respond. Tate complied with Evers’ request and resigned weeks later.
Evers appointed former Democratic state senator Jon Erpenbach to replace him in January.
Evers’ spokesperson, Britt Cudaback, responded to the bill by pointing to two sentences in the governor’s budget proposal that called for “clarifying the responsibilities” of the commission to notify crime victims’ families when a convict applies for parole and is released on parole. The budget language does not elaborate, and Cudaback did not respond to a follow-up message seeking more details.
The proposed bill aims to hold the parole commission accountable by increasing transparency and ensuring its decisions are available to the public. It is still unclear whether the bill will pass, but the public hearing allowed stakeholders to express their opinions on the commission’s shortcomings.
