David Crowley suspends messaging on tablets at county jails after more inmates found harassing victims

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley is directing the sheriff’s office to suspend the use of messaging on electronic tablets at the county jail and will suspend services at the Community Reintegration Center, formerly the House of Corrections.

This comes after news that multiple inmates had been using the devices to harass victims and intimidate witnesses.

“I will not tolerate victim harassment or witness intimidation. That is why I am ordering the CRC and calling on the Sheriff’s Office to disable this feature until we are confident strong safeguards are in place to prevent misuse and protect victims,” Crowley said in a statement on Oct. 9. “Communication technology can support rehabilitation, but it absolutely cannot be at the expense of victims’ safety. Period.”

Crowley said tablet messaging features will be suspended until additional safety measures are in place to protect victims.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, CRC, and the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office investigated the matter and will work to “develop a permanent plan to prevent this from happening again.”

The sheriff’s office oversees the Milwaukee County Jail. MCSO didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Oct. 9.

County officials said ongoing meetings with the tablet vendor, IC Solutions, will continue. Crowley said once stricter rules and safety measures are in place, “that will once again allow CRC residents to use the tablets to stay in touch with loved ones without risk of misuse.”

While messaging is disabled, residents can still connect with family and friends through phone calls, video visitation, and in-person visits.

Crowley is the Democratic nominee for governor. His Republican opponent, Congressman Tom Tiffany, has run TV ads attacking Crowley on this matter for weeks.

This is not an issue unique to just Milwaukee. Both state and federal prisoners are allowed tablets. The measure passed the County Board by a vote of 17-1.

Crowley announced the decision to suspend messaging on the tablets at the same time he is holding a campaign event on Milwaukee’s near north side with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.

Election Day is Nov. 3.