MADISON, Wis. – Nine individuals have been arrested after a series of deaths at the Waupun Correctional Institution, according to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office. Among those arrested is the warden of the facility, Randall Hepp, who faces charges of misconduct in public office. The other eight individuals are facing felony charges related to inmate abuse.
The events leading to the arrests were marked by investigations into four deaths at the prison. The first death occurred in June 2023 when an inmate, Dean Hoffman, took his own life in solitary confinement. Subsequent deaths included Tyshun Lemons and Cameron Williams, both found deceased at the facility in October. Dodge County Medical Examiner PJ Schoebel stated that Lemons died from an overdose while Williams succumbed to a stroke. Another inmate, Donald Maier, was found dead at the prison in February, with authorities yet to disclose details of his passing.
The troubling incidents at Waupun do not end with the aforementioned deaths. In response to suspected illegal activity within the institution, Governor Tony Evers’ office disclosed that federal investigators were examining a suspected smuggling ring involving prison staff. This revelation came after sweeps of housing units at Waupun revealed inmates obtaining prohibited items like cellphones and illicit substances. As a result, at least 11 prison employees were suspended pending further investigation.
The state Department of Corrections enforced a lockdown at Waupun, along with prisons in Green Bay and Stanley, due to a shortage of guards. Inmates at Waupun filed a federal lawsuit asserting that the conditions during the lockdown constituted cruel and unusual punishment. While Stanley has since returned to normal operations, restrictions at Waupun and Green Bay have loosened, albeit with limited in-person visitation and restricted recreational activities.
Waupun Correctional Institution, one of five high-security prisons in Wisconsin, has a capacity of 882 inmates, with 712 incarcerated as of the latest population report. The facility’s troubles cast a shadow over the broader discussion of prison conditions and the treatment of inmates, prompting a call for greater accountability and oversight.
In light of these recent developments, the community remains attentive to the unfolding events surrounding Waupun Correctional Institution in hopes of ensuring justice and reform within the corrections system.