Alderman Calls Milwaukee County Judges and Corrections System "Weak Links"

Alderman Bob Donovan is speaking out against the Milwaukee County criminal justice system and he's using fighting words to do so: “We in Milwaukee County have a weak link in our criminal justice system and it is very clearly our judges and our corrections system,” he said.

These remark are being made in response to recent offenses, including homicide and bank robbery, by criminals who had already served felony sentences. He argues that these perpetrators should have received much longer sentences, therefore preventing the second crimes from occurring. Donovan also said that judges -- because they never face the public -- do not feel a sense of accountability for their actions, nor do they really understand what's happening in Milwaukee's rough neighborhoods. “Rarely – if ever – have I seen our elected judges out listening to the people,” he said.

The solution? According to Donovan, the solution is a panel of ordinary citizens called Court Watch Volunteers. The theory is that if Court Watchers are present in such trials, judges will be more inclined to hand down harsher sentences because they are being watched by a critical panel. “These judges are routinely throwing our neighborhoods into chaos by releasing dangerous criminals onto our streets before they’ve been even remotely punished for their crimes. I firmly believe this would not occur if citizens were there, in court, personally holding them accountable and even sharing personal accounts of the harm these criminals have caused or could cause in their neighborhoods,” he said.

Citizens interested in becoming Court Watch Volunteers can call 414.286.3778 for information.

Photographer's Choice / Getty Images