Falk: Consultant report recommends no new jail, end to inmate shipping, real cost savings

July 19, 2007
Joanne Haas, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823
County Executive

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk today said the County Board-hired consultant’s massive review of the criminal justice system contains welcome news for taxpayers and public safety. “No new jail. Maintaining public safety. Saving money. And, bringing our inmates back from other counties. These are four key points of this report,” Falk said. Consultant Alan Kalmanoff, of the California-based Institute for Law and Public Policy, today delivered his findings and recommendations of the Dane County criminal justice system following months of interviews and analysis. Kalmanoff’s work was contracted through a Dane County Board of Supervisors resolution. The core of the Kalmanoff audit includes reviews and recommendations of other Dane County departments including the Courts, District Attorney, Sheriff and Information Technology. “This report is a toolbox,” Falk said. “Judges, the District Attorney and the Sheriff now should study these recommendations and then use the information to have each department perform at its highest level of efficiency. The County Board and I are eager to support them in those efforts. “We owe it to our taxpayers and citizens to continually assess our performance and keep moving ahead,” Falk said. “For the next year, this report will be front and center as I work with the County Judges, District Attorney and Sheriff on their budgets and programs,” Falk said. “With all the benefits possible to taxpayers and our criminal justice system, this report cannot be ignored.” # # #