"When the prison gates slam behind an inmate, he does not lose his human quality; his mind does not become closed to ideas; his intellect does not cease to feed on a free and open interchange of opinions; his yearning for self-respect does not end; nor is his quest for self-realization concluded. If anything, the needs for identity and self-respect are more compelling in the dehumanizing prison environment. Whether an O. Henry writing his short stories in a jail cell or a frightened young inmate writing his family, a prisoner needs a medium for self-expression. It is the role of the First Amendment and this Court to protect those precious personal rights by which we satisfy such basic yearnings of the human spirit." - Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall, concurring opinion in Procurnier v Martinez 416 U.S. 396 (1974).

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OUR PURPOSE, GOALS & MISSION

FCAB is dedicated to advocating in behalf of reducing recidivism, enhancing re-integration, and to lowering state budget costs due to incarceration. Additionally, it is dedicated to disseminating to the lay public and to decision-makers pertinent information that can assist in achieving those goals, and it serves as a contact point with the community at large to share information and respond to issues that are brought to the board's attention.

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Mission Management. FCAB shall achieve its goals by maintaining a continual awareness of the conditions, needs, and concerns of the broader Milwaukee Metropolitan Community; and by the coordination of its activities, within a framework of collaboration with affiliated and selected other organizations and with community groups having a similar purpose. All of FCAB's activities shall be conducted in a manner consistent with, and in compliance with, the purpose, objectives, and limitations as set forth in the by-laws.

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As of March 3, 2015, the Felmers O. Chaney Advocacy Board (FCAB) is an independent body and is not affiliated with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections or any other governmental body or institution. FCAB is an advocacy board comprised of private citizens guided by a shared concern for social justice, corrections policy, and the successful re-entry of former inmates as they return to their communities. All documents on this site pre-dating March 3, 2015 are historical and in reference to FCAB’s prior incarnation as a Wisconsin Department of Corrections affiliated citizens advisory board.

Click on the History tab for a chronology of the evolution of the Board.

OUR BOARD MEMBERS

Executive Committee

Executive Committee

REV. JOSEPH ELLWANGER
2nd Secretary

Executive Committee

GEORGETTE WILLIAMS
1st Secretary

Executive Committee

Executive Committee

ATTY. LARRY R. COTE

1st Vice Chairman

Executive Committee

Executive Committee

ATTY. BARBARA BECKER
1st Treasurer

Associate Members

DR. DAN BLINKA, ESQUIRE

CINDY WILLIAMS

SHARON F. SKINNER, PH.D.
2nd Treasurer

Associate Members

ANGELA TURNER

HONORABLE KRISTY YANG

Associate Members

Standing Members

Eduardo Borda, Esq.

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Hon. Jonathan Brostoff, Esq.

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Hon. Christopher Dee, Esq.

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Atty. Reyna Morales

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Fred Royal

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Danielle Shelton, Esq.

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Atty. Tearman Spencer

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Dr. Stan Stojkovic

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Cindy Williams

Molly Collins

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David McGinnis

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Hon. Lindsey Draper

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​James Hall, Esq.

Dr. Thomas LeBel

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David McGinnis

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Atty. N. Lynette McNeely

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Patricia Obletz

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Affiliate Member

Sherman Park Community Association (SPCA)

Prison Initiative

Task Force

Robert Smith (chair)

Michael Carriere

Sharon Skinner

Dave McGinnis  Georgette Williams

Dan Blinka

Assist in program development; fundraising

Technology & Communication Committee

Sharon Skinner (chair)

Barbara Becker

Cindy Williams

James Hall

N. Lynette McNeely

Stan Stojkovic

Prepare “Reasons to Join FCAB” Document and any other Orientation Materials

Solicit New Members Per

Needs of Board

Committee to Regularize Contributions to FCAB’s Treasury for Website & Other Expenses as They Emerge

Acknowledge via Flowers, etc., Those Experiencing Duress

Podcasts

Keep FCAB Website Current

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Secretary Meeting

Committee

Wendy Volz Daniels

Rev. Joe Ellwanger

Tina Freiburger

Tom LeBel

Dave McGinnis 

Stan Stojkovic

Meet with DOC

Secretary on quarterly basis.

Present FCAB’s Recommendations to Secretary

Prison Oversight

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Wendy Volz Daniels (chair)

Rev J. Ellwanger

Tom LeBel

Gretchen Schuldt (Turners)         

Explore Issues; Disseminate Info; Promote legislation

Explore Oversight

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Police Oversight

Molly Collins

Fred Royal

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Book Club

Georgette Williams (chair)

Wendy Volz Daniels

Tom LeBel

Sharon Skinner

Read Pertinent Books; Educate FCAB; Promote Get-to-Know Each Other Readings/Socials

Revocations

Committee

Rev. Joe Ellwanger

Tom LeBel

Publicize

How to Reduce

Unneccesary Revocations

Promote probation to be used more frequently as alternative to imprisonment; reform victimless revocations; modify earned release standards; give technical parole violators punishments other than prison.

Disseminate information vis op-ed pieces, letters to the editor, advertised panel discussions, radio and T.V. appearances, town hall meetings, etc.

Legislative

Committee

Wendy Volz Daniels

Dave McGinnis

FCAB Interface w/ Rep. Goyke’s Office

Publicize facts as disclosed in Goyke’s presentation both countywide and statewide via pamphlet; work in conjunction w/ Goyke’s office on other projects such as a webpage w/ everyone’s web sites and basic info

Re-Entry Committee

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Rev. J. Ellwanger

Wendy Volz Daniels

Juvenile Justice (NEW)

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Wendy Volz Daniels (chair)

Tina Freiburger

Wisconsin Decarceration Platform Representative

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Gretchen Schuldt

Mental Health Committee (New)

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Dave McGinnis (chair)

Patricia Obletz

Lindsey Draper

N. Lynette McNeely

Sharon Skinner

Community Justice

Council Representative

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Dave McGinnis

Fire & Police Commission Representative 

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vacant

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Members. FCAB members shall serve as voting members of FCAB; serve on committees as appointed; have ad hoc and other duties that assist FCAB in achieving its objectives; and be expected to attend all FCAB meetings. All FCAB voting members shall serve FCAB in their individual capacities: No voting members serve FCAB in their professional capacities.

The principal officers of the Board shall be a chairman, 1st vice-chairman, 2nd vice-chairman, 1st secretary, 2nd secretary, and treasurer. The Board may have other officers or assistant officers as the Board may from time to time elect. Any two or more of said offices may be held by the same person, except that the offices of chairman, 1st vice-chairman, and 2nd vice-chairman, may not be held by the same person, the offices of chairman, 1st and 2nd secretary, may not be held jointly, and the treasurer may not simultaneously hold the office of chairman.

Associate Members. FCAB associate members shall be non-voting members of FCAB who are expected to assist FCAB from time to time on a pro tempore basis to achieve FCAB's purpose and goals as same are identified herein in Section 2.01. Associate members are eligible to serve on committees as appointed, but are not expected to attend all meetings of the Board. Associate members are expected to be opinion leaders, either lay or professional, such as community advocates, religious leaders, politicians, or others possessing special expertise or organizational affiliations useful to the accomplishment of FCAB's purpose and goals, such as, but not limited to, research social scientists, foundation officials, professional fundraisers, and grant persons. Associate members are not required to reside within Milwaukee’s PMSA. Associate members may be removed from FCAB by a simple majority vote.