From the outside, Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center looks like a maximum security prison. Inside, more than 300 men live there, committed there by juries and judges throughout the state as “sexually violent persons.” The challenge, for staff, is to treat and reintegrate them into communities.
Category: Health & Welfare
Posted inGovernment, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety, Rethinking Sex Offenders
Wisconsin freeing more sex offenders from mental lockup
Wisconsin officials have nearly quadrupled the number of offenders released from state custody after they were committed as sexually violent persons. The risks to residents are reasonable, officials say, because the state’s treatment programs are working and new data suggest these offenders are less likely to reoffend than previously thought.
Posted inEconomy, Government, Health & Welfare
Neighbors diverge on health care
People in Wisconsin and Minnesota living just barely above the poverty line are about to see their health care fortunes change — in opposite directions.
Posted inEconomy, Government, Health & Welfare
Wisconsin family braces for a transition
In Lisa Nerenhausen’s house, the consequences of the state of Wisconsin’s approach to the Affordable Care Act are mixed.
Posted inEconomy, Government, Health & Welfare
States differ widely on costs
It’s called the Affordable Care Act, but it looks as though obtaining health care coverage on the new private exchanges will generally be much more affordable in Minnesota than Wisconsin.
Posted inEconomy, Government, Health & Welfare
Changes ease Minnesota family’s worries
Eleta Pierce has been on and off MinnesotaCare, a program for working low-income people. Beginning Jan. 1, Pierce and her family will be eligible for Medicaid coverage.
Posted inEconomy, Frac Sand Rush, Government, Health & Welfare
Glenwood City incumbents lead in recall elections sparked by frac sand
The mayor garnered a 43-vote margin Tuesday, while two city council members held onto razor-thin leads in Glenwood City recall elections sparked by controversy over a proposed frac sand mine.
Posted inEconomy, Government, Health & Welfare
Scott Walker weighs veto of mascot bill
Gov. Scott Walker is still deliberating whether to veto a controversial bill that would make it harder to force schools to drop Indian names and mascots.
Posted inEconomy, Government, Health & Welfare
Walker changes stance, signs bill for workers with disabilities
After reversing his original position, Gov. Scott Walker on Friday signed legislation to request more federal money to help unemployed people with disabilities find jobs faster.
Posted inGovernment, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety
Mentally ill ex-inmates lack treatment, meds
Despite the wake-up call sounded nationwide by recent mass shootings, huge gaps remain in how Wisconsin treats people with mental illnesses who run afoul of the law. State and county officials blame a shortage of psychiatrists, growing demand for services and high medication costs.
Posted inGovernment, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety
Prescribing solutions
Advocates for offenders with mental illnesses suggest a number of approaches they feel would expand released offenders’ access to services and medication.
Posted inGovernment, Health & Welfare, Justice & Safety
Obamacare could help released offenders
The state Department of Corrections hopes the federal Affordable Care Act will help released offenders get Medicaid. Starting next year, all Wisconsin residents below the poverty line will be eligible for BadgerCare Plus.