Wisconsin Prison Warden and Staff Charged in Connection with Inmate Deaths

In a shocking development, the warden of a maximum-security Wisconsin prison and eight members of his staff have been charged following investigations into the deaths of four inmates over the past year. The charges include misconduct in public office and inmate abuse, with three of them facing additional charges of misconduct in public office. Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt, who led the investigation, expressed concern about the dangerous and reckless manner in which the prison, Waupun Correctional Institution, was being operated.

Sheriff Schmidt revealed that one inmate's death was ruled a homicide, as his water was turned off for a significant amount of time, he was not closely monitored, and did not have direct contact with a doctor despite being in restrictive housing. Additionally, another inmate had a stroke and was found dead in his cell at least 12 hours after the incident went unnoticed.

Legal Ramifications

Warden Randall Hepp, who announced his retirement at the end of June, faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison if convicted. Three of the four deaths are subject to federal lawsuits, and the state Department of Corrections is actively investigating the prison's operations. Jared Hoy, the head of the Department of Corrections, confirmed that more than 20 people remain under internal investigation, with at least eight on administrative leave and nine others terminated or retired since the probe began a year ago.

Waupun Correctional Institution has been under scrutiny not only for the inmate deaths but also for a suspected smuggling ring involving prison employees. This has led to a federal investigation, and Governor Tony Evers emphasized the need for accountability and justice to prevail.

Continued Investigations

Governor Evers stressed the importance of thorough internal and law enforcement investigations until completion. The state Department of Corrections initiated a lockdown at Waupun and other prisons last year due to a shortage of guards, leading to allegations of cruel and unusual punishment by the inmates.

As of the latest update in April, in-person visitation had not resumed at Waupun, and recreation time for inmates was still limited. However, prisoners were granted the ability to make phone calls and text using electronic tablets. Waupun Correctional Institution, which was built in the 1850s, currently holds 712 inmates and is designed to accommodate up to 882 individuals.

Republican state lawmakers have seized on the filing of charges to renew their calls for the closure of the prisons in Waupun and Green Bay. State Sen. Van Wanggaard emphasized the need for decisive action in response to the troubling situation at the prisons.