Madison, Wisconsin – The warden of Waupun Correctional Institution, a maximum-security prison in Wisconsin, was arrested on Wednesday, just hours before a scheduled news conference where more arrests were expected to be announced regarding investigations into inmate deaths.
Randall Hepp, who has been serving as warden of the troubled facility since 2020, was detained as the head of the state prison system pushed the county sheriff to keep the investigations ongoing. The prison has seen four inmate deaths since last June, with one death already the subject of a federal lawsuit and the state Department of Corrections conducting a comprehensive review of its operations.
Amid the ongoing probe, State Senator Van Wanggaard revealed that Hepp and several others would be facing charges related to their work at the prison. Wanggaard, chair of the state Senate committee overseeing prisons, emphasized that at least some of the charges would be felonies, although the exact number of individuals facing charges and the specific nature of the charges were not disclosed.
In a letter to the sheriff, head of the state Department of Corrections, Jared Hoy, indicated that over 20 employees were still under internal investigation, with eight placed on administrative leave and nine either dismissed or retired in the past year. Acknowledging that no one was being charged in Dodge County at that time, Hoy urged the sheriff to keep the investigation active and to promptly share any findings.
Since June 2023, four inmates have lost their lives at Waupun, under circumstances that have sparked legal and official inquiries. The deaths, which included suicide, overdose, and a stroke, have raised concerns about the mental health care and safety protocols at the prison.
Governor Tony Evers’ office disclosed earlier this year that federal investigators were looking into a suspected smuggling ring involving prison employees, highlighting challenges faced by correctional facilities in the state. Questions over staffing shortages and lockdowns have also plagued Waupun, with inmates resorting to legal action to address concerns over living conditions and treatment within the prison.
As investigations continue and revelations unfold, it remains to be seen how the situation at Waupun Correctional Institution will be resolved and what measures will be implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of the inmates. The cascade of events at the prison underscores the complexities of managing and overseeing a maximum-security facility, shedding light on the challenges faced by both staff and inmates within the state’s correctional system.