Healthier lives, stronger families, and safer communities: A health impact assessment of alternatives to incarceration in Wisconsin

Across the country, prisons are overcrowded with individuals suffering from mental health and substance abuse issues. Yet, many could benefit from treatment programs rather than incarceration. Recognizing this opportunity, in 2011-2012, WISDOM, a statewide congregation-based community organizing project, and the non-profit organization Human Impact Partners collaborated on a health impact assessment (HIA). The HIA assessed the health impacts of increasing funding for state treatment alternatives in Wisconsin. These alternatives included drug and alcohol treatment courts, day reporting centers, and mental health treatment courts – options based on the principle that the root of many crimes are public health issues, such as substance abuse and mental health problems. The HIA found that in Wisconsin, an increase in funding for prison alternatives to $75 million a year would likely reduce the prison population; reduce crime; improve substance abuse recovery; improve mental health; keep ex-offenders from returning to prison; and, strengthen families. Through an extensive campaign, WISDOM communicated findings to the public and decision-makers, building support for the recommendations. Several dozen news stories and multiple in-person events attended by hundreds of people spread the message of the HIA and campaign. Overall, the HIA helped to re-cast WISDOM'S incarceration campaign as one about public health. Outreach efforts around the HIA release effectively placed the campaign and its goals in the public eye, expanded the public conversation, and engaged decision-makers. In this presentation, we will discuss findings and recommendations, outcomes associated with the HIA, and lessons learned from a public health-oriented criminal justice campaign.