MADISON, Wis. – Charges have been announced against the warden and eight staff members at Wisconsin’s oldest maximum-security prison, Waupun Correctional Institution, for failing to provide basic care for inmates who died under their watch. Among the allegations are that one inmate died of dehydration and another was not discovered until at least 12 hours after suffering a stroke. Authorities have described the operation of the prison as “dangerous and reckless,” according to Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt, who led the investigation.
Warden Randall Hepp faces misconduct charges, while the other staff members are facing charges of felony inmate abuse, with three of them also charged with misconduct. This announcement comes following the deaths of four inmates, three of which are currently subject to federal lawsuits. The investigation into the prison’s operations by the state Department of Corrections has been ongoing, with Governor Tony Evers requesting the U.S. Department of Justice to look into contraband smuggling at the facility.
It has been reported that more than 20 individuals are under internal investigation, with at least eight on leave and nine others either fired or retired since the probe began a year ago. The charges filed are related to the deaths of inmates Cameron Williams and Donald Maier. Williams reportedly informed an inmate advocate of needing to go to the hospital three days before his death but no action was taken. Maier, on the other hand, had severe mental health issues and did not receive his medication leading up to his death.
Throughout the investigation, it was revealed that the prison had a 43% staff vacancy rate as of May. In light of these charges, Republican legislators have renewed calls for the closure of both Waupun Correctional Institution and another maximum-security prison in Green Bay, which were built in the 1800s. Governor Evers has expressed that those who failed to fulfill their responsibilities will be held accountable.
The ongoing challenges faced by Waupun Correctional Institution extend beyond the inmate deaths, with federal investigators looking into a suspected smuggling ring involving prison employees. The situation highlights systemic issues within the Department of Corrections and raises concerns about the safety and well-being of inmates in Wisconsin’s prison system.