Wisconsin warden, 8 other staffers face criminal charges in inmate deaths | CNN (2024)

Wisconsin warden, 8 other staffers face criminal charges in inmate deaths | CNN (1)

The Waupun Correctional Institution back in April. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The warden and eight other staff members at a Wisconsin prison face charges in the death of two inmates in what a sheriff called a mockery of the state’s obligation and vow to take good care of those in its custody.

Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt detailed to reporters on Wednesday what he called a litany of failure at Waupun Correctional Institution. He provided details of four inmate deaths since July 2023. Felony charges of misconduct in public office and abuse of residents of penal facilities were filed in two deaths.

“As the sheriff, I am angered at how these men were treated and how they died,” said Schmidt.

Warden Randall Hepp was jailed just hours before the news conference, according to the Associated Press. Hepp is charged with felony misconduct, according to Schmidt, in connection with the death of a mentally troubled inmate who died of malnutrition and dehydration.

“We are operating the oldest prison in Wisconsin in a dangerous manner,” said Schmidt, saying the care of inmates and oversight were shoddy. “There needs to be responsibility from the top down.”

He urged better staffing, training and accountability across the prison system.

The sheriff, who appeared with the district attorney, said Waupun staff in various cases failed to provide adequate checks, medication, food and water. Some records were allegedly falsified.

Prosecutors said the deaths amounted to neglect rather than homicidal intent. Those arrested were Hepp, six correctional workers and two nurses. Most were arrested in one death, rather than both.

Schmidt said the nine accused turned themselves in Wednesday morning and made their first court appearance in the afternoon. They pleaded not guilty, authorities said.

Jail Sgt. Chad Riter told the Associated Press that Hepp’s attorney had visited him, but Riter did not know the attorney’s name. Riter didn’t immediately return a follow-up message inquiring if a reporter could speak with Hepp.

Four inmates have died at Waupun since June 2023, when Dean Hoffman killed himself in solitary confinement, according to the AP. Hoffman’s daughter filed a federal lawsuit in February alleging that prison officials failed to provide her father with adequate mental health care and medications. No criminal charges were filed in that case.

Tyshun Lemons and Cameron Williams were found dead at the facility in October, said the AP.

Dodge County Medical Examiner PJ Schoebel saidLemons overdosed on acetyl fentanyl, a potent opioid painkiller, and Williams died of a stroke. No charges were filed over Lemons’ death but several prison employees were arrested in Williams’ death, authorities said Wednesday.

Schmidt said Williams had labored breathing and lay on a bed with no movement. Staff yelled and banged on his door “without a response and no action was taken.”

Numerous rounds by staff were skipped or done ineffectively, the sheriff said.

A nurse and correctional officer finally decided Williams’ cell needed to be entered. But an incoming nurse decided there was no medical need for a check, authorities said, adding the inmate was likely under dire medical stress at the time of that decision. He was dead for more than 12 hours before staff learned that, Schmidt said.

Additional charges were brought in the case of Donald Maier, who was found deadat the prison in February. Authorities said the manner of death was homicide and he died because of maltreatment by staff. Hepp is charged in that case.

Maier was in a cell with garbage on the floor and sometimes he went without water because it was cut off at various points for varying reasons, the sheriff said.

The staff failed to feed him nine of 12 meals when he was housed in restrictive housing, the sheriff said. Maier should have been closely monitored and no medical professional made contact except through a cell door.

Schmidt listed medical conditions, dehydration and failure to thrive due to malnutrition as the causes of death.

Dodge County District Attorney Andrea Will said the maximum sentence for a conviction would be 18 months confinement and 24 months of extended supervision.

The state Department of Correctionsimposed a lockdownat Waupun, and at prisons in Green Bay and Stanley last year due to a shortage of guards, according to AP. Waupun inmatesfiled a federal lawsuitin October alleging the conditions amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. That lawsuit is still pending.

Stanley resumed normal operations in November. Movement restrictions have eased at Waupun and Green Bay, but as of the department’s latest update in April, in-person visitation had not resumed at Waupun and recreation time was still limited, reported the Associated Press. Prisoners were being allowed to make phone calls and text using electronic tablets, however.

Waupun’s problems don’t end there. Gov. Tony Evers’ office said in March that federal investigators werelooking into a suspected smuggling ringinvolving prison employees.

Hepp announced on May 28 that heplanned to retireat the end of June and that Deputy Warden Brad Mlodzik would take over, says the AP.

The Department of Corrections (DOC) and federal authorities are doing their own investigations into conditions at Waupun. Sheriff Schmidt said the federal investigation is not looking specifically into the deaths of the inmates.

“As a result of the DOC’s internal investigations at WCI that initially began in March 2023, over 20 individuals remain under internal investigation,” the Department of Corrections said inits own statement. “An additional nine individuals, against whom criminal charges have not been filed at this time, are no longer employed at the department.”

The DOC said an additional eight people are on administrative leave in connection with the investigations.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNN’s Joe Sutton contributed to this story.

Wisconsin warden, 8 other staffers face criminal charges in inmate deaths | CNN (2024)

FAQs

Wisconsin warden, 8 other staffers face criminal charges in inmate deaths | CNN? ›

Wisconsin warden, 8 other staffers face criminal charges in inmate deaths. The warden and eight other staff members at a Wisconsin prison face charges in the death of two inmates in what a sheriff called a mockery of the state's obligation and vow to take good care of those in its custody.

Who died in the Waupun correctional? ›

Sheriff Schmidt described in detail four deaths, including one involving a prisoner who had not eaten in days and was “drinking sewage water” and “played in the toilet.” The medical examiner said the cause of death was malnutrition and probable dehydration, and ruled it a homicide.

What is the Waupun correctional investigation? ›

After a DOC sweep of housing units at Waupun turned up contraband, state officials notify federal authorities. As a result, the U.S. Department of Justice launches an investigation into an alleged conspiracy within Waupun Correctional Institution to bring in cell phones, illegal drugs and other contraband.

Where are federal inmates held in Wisconsin? ›

The Federal Correctional Institution, Oxford (FCI Oxford) is a medium-security United States federal prison for male inmates in Wisconsin. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice.

How many inmates are in Wisconsin prisons? ›

The Prison System

As of December 31, 2020, the number of prisoners under the jurisdiction of Wisconsin correctional authorities was 20,298 located in 18 state prisons and held in custody of private prisons or local jails.

Who was the serial killer in Waupun? ›

Gein was arrested and eventually confessed to his crimes. On January 16, 1958, he was sent to Central State Hospital at Waupun, WI. In November 1968, he was judged competent to stand trial.

Who is the killer in the inmate book? ›

But everyone knows Brooke saw her friends die one by one on a stormy night ten years before. Everyone knows that she helped put the murderer Shane Nelson in a maximum security prison not that far away.

Has anyone escaped from Waupun Correctional Institution? ›

They lived in bunkhouses or at a residence at one of the prison's farms. Foreman and superintendents supervised their work instead of armed guards, but nine prisoners did escape, with only two being apprehended.

What is the lawsuit against Waupun correctional institution? ›

Dean Hoffmann, 60, died by suicide last June. His family has filed a lawsuit alleging prison staff were deliberately indifferent to Hoffmann's serious mental health needs. The lawsuit says prison workers failed to give him his prescribed bipolar and antidepressant medications more than three-quarters of the time.

What are the highest security prisons called? ›

According to the National Institute of Corrections, an agency of the United States government, "a supermax is a stand-alone unit or part of another facility and is designated for violent or disruptive incarcerated individuals.

Are there any privately owned prisons in Wisconsin? ›

But the tricky part was that Wisconsin laws forbid private prisons inside the state. So Walker found a pretty good work-around. In 1997, he voted to allow the Wisconsin Department of Corrections to ship inmates to private prisons in other states.

What crimes get sent to federal prisons? ›

drug dealing or drug trafficking, certain white-collar crimes (including money laundering and identity theft), racketeering, 5 and. immigration crimes.

What are most federal inmates incarcerated for? ›

Most Common Type of Crime
Crime TypeNumber of Individuals
Drug Trafficking65,096 65,096 65,096
Firearms20,701 20,701 20,701
Sexual Abuse9,396 9,396 9,396
Robbery9,255 9,255 9,255
7 more rows

How much does an inmate cost per year in Wisconsin? ›

In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the number prisoners in Wisconsin, the state's incarceration rate was even higher, at 411 per 100,000. The state spent $220 per resident on corrections in 2020, compared to the U.S. average of $182.

Which state has the most inmates? ›

Texas has the highest prison population with 133,772 individuals, followed by California with 101,441 individuals. On the other hand, the states with the lowest prison populations are Vermont with 1,287 individuals and Maine with 1,577 prisoners.

Who is in charge of Wisconsin prisons? ›

Governor appoints Jared Hoy as the new leader of Wisconsin's prison system.

How many inmates are in Waupun Correctional Institution? ›

Currently, there are over 1,000 men locked up inside Green Bay and about 700 incarcerated at Waupun.

What happens in Max security prisons? ›

Unlike lower-security prisons, which rely on fences to secure the perimeter, the max prisons are surrounded by 30-foot walls. You get recreational time three times a week for an hour, showers twice a week. Otherwise you're locked in a cell all day except for chow. You endure the violence.

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