Why We’re Not Just “Punishing People” Anymore: Jackson County’s New Approach to Addiction and Justic

The Jackson County Pulse| Black River Falls, Jackson County, Wisconsin Thursday, April 17, 2025 

SYNOPSIS: Jackson County is shifting its jail strategy—moving away from traditional punishment and toward addiction treatment as a response to incarceration. While there are signs of progress, the shift raises ongoing questions about transparency, leadership, and whether this marks meaningful reform or simply a rebranding of the same system. As the county leans into treatment over time served, the public is left to ask: Where is the accountability, and what comes next? 

Lately, we’ve heard it from multiple angles:

“Why aren’t they punishing people anymore?”

“Isn’t jail supposed to be about consequences?”

Let’s break this down.

Jackson County Jail’s New Approach to Addiction & Criminal Justice 

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is currently rolling out a major initiative to shift how it addresses Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), especially within the criminal justice system. This includes Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), Pre-arraignment Deflection, and Education and awareness Training for staff and law enforcement.

We know what you might be thinking—“Why focus on helping people who broke the law?”—but the reality is, this effort isn’t about being soft on crime. It’s about being smart with resources and breaking cycles that punishment alone has failed to address.

Why Jackson County Is Prioritizing Treatment Over Jail Time 

Through grant funding and support from Overdose Lifeline, officers and jail staff in Jackson County are being trained to understand addiction better, ask the right questions, and offer individuals a path to recovery instead of automatically sending them deeper into the system.

According to the Sheriff's Office:

• Officers have completed extensive online and in-person training
• Deflection kits with harm reduction tools and self-referral info are being distributed
• Two outreach deflection efforts and one prevention referral have already connected individuals to treatment
• Supplies, training materials, and planning meetings are actively shaping the project’s full implementation

Yes, jail still exists. Yes, people are still being held accountable. But in cases where addiction is driving the behavior, they’re offering something more: a way out.

How MOUD & Recovery Programs Are Rolling Out in Jackson County Jail 

A new medical provider has been contracted to offer MOUD (Medications for Opioid Use Disorder) to those incarcerated or at high risk of overdose. And the results?

• Seven individuals have received MOUD, individual therapy, and coordinated reentry services
• Case managers have been hired to track progress and connect people to long-term care
• Coordination even occurred for an individual transferring to state prison so they wouldn’t lose access to treatment

This isn’t “letting people off the hook.” This is meeting people where they are—and keeping them alive long enough to make real change.

Is Jail Reform Making Jackson County Safer—or Just Different? 

Here’s the thing—this is public safety.

We all know the cycle: addiction → arrest → jail → release → relapse → repeat. If punishment alone worked, we wouldn’t be seeing overdose rates rising across the country.

By helping people get real treatment, the county is reducing recidivism, lowering jail population, and saving lives. And as more individuals are released into the community with a real shot at staying clean, we all benefit.

What’s Next for Jail Reform in Jackson County? 

The agency hasn’t done everything yet, and they’ve been open about that. According to the latest updates:

• A permanent drug drop box and deactivation kits haven’t been purchased yet, but are on the way
• Contracts are being signed, quotes obtained, and more materials are arriving
• The Peer Support position is close to being filled following recent interviews
• Progress is happening—it just doesn’t always look like handcuffs and courtrooms.

Jail Expansion, Treatment, and Accountability: What We Still Need to Know 

We understand the shift. Jackson County is moving away from strictly punishing people and leaning into treatment programs for those struggling with addiction. But here’s the real question: is this truly about recovery, or are we just expanding the jail under a different name?

There’s talk of adding more beds, maybe even a brand-new facility. Is that about building a treatment center—or just making more room with a different label?

We know addiction is complicated. And yes, people deserve a chance at help. But help only works if someone actually wants it. No matter how many resources we throw at the issue, change is a personal decision. Sometimes, what’s really needed isn’t more medication—it’s more honest conversation, more connection, more real support.

And as for leadership—well, let’s just say we’re still waiting. Waiting for answers. Waiting for a response from the District Attorney’s Office since we sent an inquiry on April 8th. Waiting for someone to step up and say, “Here’s the plan, and here’s how we’ll stay accountable.”

It all sounds promising on paper. But if you’ve been watching Jackson County for a while, you know that good intentions don’t always translate into good results.

It’s beginning to seem like there’s never been a better time to struggle with addiction—at least when it comes to avoiding a CCAP record in Jackson County. 

If only we’d had this kind of grace and support back in the '80s.

Jail Watch is an ongoing observation project. We report facts as they become available and aim to provide space for public accountability conversations rooted in records and transparency.

Disclaimer: The views expressed  on this page is based on publicly available records, public statements, and community discussions. Jackson County Pulse does not allege wrongdoing unless verified by official sources. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.