The Gamaliel Foundation in Wisconsin

August 20, 2014

Secretary Ed Wall

Wisconsin Department of Corrections

3099 E. Washington Avenue

P.O. Box 7925

Madison, WI. 53707-7925

Dear Secretary Wall:

Yesterday, WISDOM leaders shared a letter, first with you, then with the larger public, about what

we had thought was an act of retaliation against Anthony Brown, whose story was used to

exemplify the system-wide problems regarding parole for those prisoners who are eligible. We

later came to learn that there were other problems for Anthony, which arose from a domestic

situation between him and his long-time girlfriend. As the Executive Director of WISDOM, I take

responsibility for failing to be sure we had all the facts before we sent you a letter. I am sorry for

that.

This incident is regrettable for many reasons. It is so difficult to maintain a loving relationship

through years of separation and incarceration. Anthony, like many people, was embarrassed by his

actions and the problem was compounded by an attempt to cover it up.

The incident also underscores the cost we all pay when there is no transparency. We have become

accustomed to receiving no answers and to receiving half-answers to legitimate inquiries made to

the Department of Corrections. It is very difficult to assess the truthfulness of a claim when there

is no response to inquiries. We did send the letter first to your office before sharing it widely, and

until this moment we have received no response. We learned of the error through third parties who

shared your response to them.

I, along with my friends in the WISDOM organization, admit that we have made a significant error

in this situation. It is difficult to publicly acknowledge mistakes. We hope that the Department of

Corrections might be as transparent when it is appropriate.

I also hope that your department will invest the same energy in investigating the allegations of

abuse in Waupun that it invested in investigating Anthony Brown. And, we hope for similar vigor

in the attempt to put some transparency and openness into the process of deciding on parole for

“old law” prisoners.

MICAH CUSH RIC SOPHIA JOSHUA ESTHER JONAH AMOS NAOMI RUTH MOSES Milwaukee Kenosha Racine Waukesha Green Bay Fox Valley Eau Claire La Crosse Wausau Manitowoc Madison

Phone: 414-831-2070 Email: wisdomforjustice@gmail.com Address: 3195 S. Superior St. Suite 313, Milwaukee, WI 53207

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Please accept my apology for the errors in the letter that circulated yesterday. WISDOM leaders

and I remain willing to meet with you to discuss this matter, along with the many other important

issues we have tried to address.

Sincerely,

David Liners

WISDOM Executive Director

cc: Governor Walker