The Truth Behind Phil Garthwaite's "Get out of Jail Free Card"

Question: What does Paula Harris have to do with Phil Garthwaite?

Answer: Everything.

Thanks to Phil Garthwaite's "Get out of Jail Free Card," Paula Harris, or someone like her, is coming to a community like ours very soon.

Phil Garthwaite was the deciding vote during the budget debate last year to let approximately 3,000 felons out of prison early in order to make the government's books appear more balanced. The non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau has since reported that Garthwaite's early release program is unlikely to save much, if any state funds. This is true because no corrections personnel will be cut and no prisons will be closed. Furthermore, many of those released will be dependent upon the state for housing and welfare for years to come.

Assembly Democrat supporters of the early release program like Phil Garthwaite argue that only non-violent offenders will be released. Such statements only prove that these representatives haven't read the legislation that they voted for.

Paula Harris, the subject of the above article, proves this point.

She was the very first inmate released early under the Assembly Democrats' "Get out of Jail Free" program.

Paula Harris was convicted of stabbing a friend to death. She was sentenced to 11 years for 1st degree reckless homicide. Thanks to Phil Garthwaite's deciding vote she only served 3.

Rep. Garthwaite would have you believe that his budget will only release non-violent offenders.

Rep. Garthwaite would have you believe that 1st degree reckless homicide is a "non-violent" crime.

Rep. Garthwaite is wrong.

The case of Paula Harris is not a lone case.

The second convict released early because of Phil Garthwaite's votes was Brian Boje.

Boje was in prison because he had been convicted of driving drunk five times. If you don't believe PGWatch, please click here. State records clearly show that Brian Boje was convicted of driving drunk 5 times and that he had a record of probation violations. Still, he was released from prison early thanks to Phil Garthwaite.

Should a 5-time drunk driver be considered a non-violent offender? Phil Garthwaite's votes indicate that he believes so.

In total, the first 22 convicts released under the "Get out of Jail Free" program are guilty of more than 150 crimes, including 74 felonies.

The next time you see Phil Garthwaite in Cassville or Boscobel spinning the facts about his "Get out of Jail Free Card" ask him about Paula Harris or Brian Boje, and then email PGWatch a summary of what he says. We'd like to know how he digs himself out of this one.

To learn more about this topic, please see the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute's report Back on the Street, or this column from State Rep. Scott Suder.

Phil Garthwaite supports early release for drunk drivers, date rape drug dealers, and even some sex offenders

A cornerstone of Rep. Garthwaite’s budget was the early release of so-called “non-violent” offenders from prison. Here are some of the offenders that Rep. Garthwaite voted to release after serving just a fraction of their sentence:

1. First-degree reckless homicide, where drugs are provided or administered ("Len Bias" Law) [940.02] That’s right, Garthwaite wants to let drug dealers that kill people out early, but I’m sure that doesn’t concern you too much. After all, you have to figure out how to pay another $316 in property taxes and are probably preoccupied with how you’re going to do that.

2. Homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle, one or more previous convictions, suspension or revocation relating to certain operating under the influence offenses [940.09(1c)(b)] Yep, Phil thinks drunk drivers who murder people shouldn’t have to spend such a long time behind bars but on the plus side, they’ll have to pay the new $.75 a month tax on cell phones when they get out of jail just like everyone else.

3. Possession with intent to manufacture, distribute or delivery of flunitrazepam more than 50 grams [961.41(1m)(im)4.] In case you’re wondering what flunitrazepam is, it’s the date rape drug. In case you’re wondering how much 50 grams is, it’s a lot, a whole lot. So while you’re trying figure out how you’re going afford the $300 auto insurance increase Garthwaite supported in this budget, date rape drug wholesalers will be relishing the immediate and significant reduction in their jail sentences.

4. Failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements (excludes certain sex registrants convicted of sexually motivated misdemeanors, first violations) [301.45(6)(a)1.] Even sex offenders get a pass? Many of Rep. Garthwaite's votes have been ridiculous but letting sex offenders, even first time offenders, out of jail early is just plain nuts.

The list goes on and on and provides for the early release for hundreds of classes of felonies.