The warden of the maximum-security Wisconsin prison and eight members of his staff have been charged following investigations into the deaths of four inmates, including one that was not discovered until at least 12 hours after the man died. Waupun Correctional Institution’s warden, Randall Hepp, faces charges of misconduct in public office, while the other eight staff members face charges of inmate abuse, with three also facing misconduct charges. The investigation revealed dangerous and reckless conditions at the prison, where one inmate had his water turned off, was not closely monitored, and did not have direct contact with a doctor before his death. Another inmate, who had a stroke, was dead in his cell for at least 12 hours before being discovered.
Three of the four deaths are subject to federal lawsuits, and the state Department of Corrections is investigating the prison’s operations. Governor Tony Evers has expressed a commitment to holding those responsible accountable for their actions, and the Department of Corrections imposed a lockdown at Waupun and other prisons due to a shortage of guards last year. Inmates at Waupun filed a federal lawsuit in October alleging cruel and unusual punishment due to the conditions during the lockdown. Investigations are ongoing, with more than 20 people under internal investigation and additional findings from the sheriff’s probe expected.
The first inmate who died at the prison was Dean Hoffman, who killed himself in solitary confinement last June. Dean’s daughter filed a federal lawsuit alleging inadequate mental health care provided by prison officials. Two other inmates, Tyshun Lemons and Cameron Williams, were found dead at the facility in October, with Lemons overdosing on a potent opioid painkiller and Williams dying of a stroke. Donald Maier, found dead in February, had his death ruled a homicide due to malnutrition and dehydration. Charges have been filed in relation to the deaths of Williams and Maier, with the warden facing potential prison time if convicted.
The problems at the prison extend beyond the inmate deaths, with federal investigators looking into a suspected smuggling ring involving prison employees. Governor Evers has emphasized the need for continued investigations and accountability for those who failed in their duties. Republican state lawmakers have called for the closure of both Waupun and Green Bay prisons, which were built in the 1800s. Despite movement restrictions easing at some of the prisons and the resumption of normal operations at Stanley, conditions at Waupun remain concerning, with in-person visitation not yet resumed and limited recreation time for inmates.
Waupun is one of five maximum-security prisons in Wisconsin, with the facility holding 712 inmates as of May 31. The prison, which was built in the 1850s, is designed to accommodate up to 882 inmates. Investigations into the handling of the inmate deaths and overall conditions at the prison are ongoing, with calls for accountability and justice from Governor Evers. The filing of charges against the warden and staff members has sparked renewed calls for prison reform and increased oversight of the corrections system in Wisconsin.
