More than 150 people are on a waitlist for a tracker.

More than 150 people are on a waitlist for a tracker.

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More than 150 people are on a waitlist for a tracker.

A backlog in cases has led to a disturbing fallout at the Milwaukee County Courthouse: not enough GPS tracking devices for people awaiting trial and released on bail.

When the court needs to keep close track of someone before their trial, they're given a GPS tracking device.

The device is installed by Justice Point, a company that provides the trackers and traces a defendant's every move.

Milwaukee County Chief Judge Mary Triggiano said typically, they've only needed 90 trackers to keep tabs on everyone.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic and worker shortage have led to what she called an "unprecedented" situation.

"Pre-COVID, there were 90 GPS or electronic monitoring device units available at any given time. Once those units were filled, anybody else would be placed on a waiting list," Triggiano said. "The waiting lists started to grow during the pandemic because the case processing slowed down, so people stayed on monitoring devices for a lengthy period of time because we weren't processing those cases."

Although the court system has been processing cases again, the backlog is so significant, they still can't keep up with the demand for GPS devices.

Triggiano said 90 trackers were the adequate amount for years, but now that number simply doesn't cover their caseload.

She said more than 150 people are on the waiting list for a device.

At this writing, some of the people on the waitlist included Christian Mothershead, a Milwaukee Public School teacher arrested for human trafficking, taken in again for breaking a no-contact order.

Kotelia Scott was also on the waitlist. Police said in December, Scott tased a child at a West Allis school.

Ruben Cardenas was also on the list, waiting for a device. The former Milwaukee police officer was accused in April of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.

Milwaukee County pre-trial services told WISN 12 people incarcerated are prioritized in these situations.

"What happens if you don't have a device for somebody?" asked WISN 12's Caroline Reinwald.

"The judge may increase the level of cash bail the person has to post and then put them on the waiting list, so there's an incentive for them to come back to court pre-trial," Triggiano said.

"How do you decide who gets the device and who stays in custody?" Reinwald asked.

"Individuals in custody are prioritized, regardless of where they fall on the waitlist, to get them out of custody," said Stephanie Garbo, judicial operations manager for pre-trial services in Milwaukee County. "When one becomes available, if someone is in custody, they are prioritized first. Those on the waitlist with non-compliant issues, they are second in priority. Those who are compliant and those on the list the longest would be third."

The chief judge said people who are minimum to medium risk are released, usually with higher bails and checked on by case managers every week.

"Does it worry you, at all, releasing somebody in the community, who you would normally have on a tracking device?" Reinwald asked.

"We always have concerns in how we read people and human behavior, but by and large the data tells us most often people are in compliance, whether they're on a device or not," Triggiano said. "I think most people want to come in and resolve their cases."

Though she said there have been instances where defendants violate the terms of their agreement.

"Nothing is 100% in this business," Triggiano said. "If it wasn't concerning to me in some situation, I would be callous, right? We do our best to understand human behavior."

The state recently earmarked $1.2 million to pay for an additional 170 trackers and hire people to help monitor them 24/7.

However, the funding is stuck in limbo. Triggiano said the county and courts are still in contract discussions.

She said she hopes to get the money soon for a system already spread too thin.

"The staff, the professionals, working in the system for two years, working overtime and double time because we don't have enough people, are getting tired," Triggiano said.

Triggiano said the goal is to get the new contract by June 1st, to obtain the new devices.

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