David Crowley Refuses to Make Changes to Abused Inmate Tablet Program

Three inmates. That is all it took to expose what Milwaukee County’s tablet program really allows. Inmate tablets are supposed to be a tool for staying connected and maybe preparing for reentry. Instead, according to the reports, they have been used to intimidate witnesses, harass victims, and threaten a police officer. That is not a "technology glitch." That is witness intimidation on a county-issued device, and David Crowley is acting like it is not his problem.

The County Executive says he will not make changes to the program. No pause, no rework, no accountability. He is protecting a vendor relationship over the safety of witnesses, victims, and law enforcement. Think about what that tells the people who cooperate with prosecutors. If a Milwaukee County inmate can reach you from inside a jail cell and the county does nothing, why would you ever step forward? Crowley's refusal is a direct threat to public safety, and he is hiding behind administrative stubbornness.

This is not about banning technology. It is about basic safeguards. A tablet program without monitoring or serious restrictions is just a way to extend an inmate's reach. And when the county knows about specific abuses and does nothing, it is not negligence. It is a choice. The only excuse left is that Crowley cares more about the program than the victims. That is a hard thing to say, but the evidence is right there in the news.

Elected officials are supposed to make the tough calls quickly. David Crowley had a chance to shut this down, fix it, and show that Milwaukee County does not tolerate threats from behind bars. He chose not to. Voters should remember that the next time they hear about "reform" from his office. Reform that does not protect the public is not reform. It is just complacency with a tablet attached..