Madison, Wisconsin – A recent lawsuit alleges that Wisconsin prison officials showed deliberate indifference to the mental health needs of an incarcerated man who later died by suicide. Dean Hoffman’s family filed a wrongful death complaint in U.S. District Court, naming the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and several prison officials as defendants.
Hoffman’s tragic death occurred on June 29 after spending nine days in solitary confinement at the Waupun Correctional Institution, a maximum-security facility. The lawsuit highlights that Hoffman, who suffered from schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, hypothyroidism, diabetes, and anti-social personality disorder, did not consistently receive his medication while at Waupun, raising concerns about the quality of mental health care provided to inmates.
The staffing shortage in Wisconsin prisons, particularly at Waupun, has exacerbated the situation, with nearly 55% of correctional officer positions remaining vacant as of last month. Lockdown restrictions imposed by prison officials due to safety concerns have further limited access to necessary services for inmates, including psychological evaluations upon transfer between facilities.
Despite being classified as having serious mental illness by the Dodge Correctional Institution prior to his transfer to Waupun, Hoffman allegedly did not receive the required psychological services while in solitary confinement at the latter facility. The lawsuit emphasizes the lack of appropriate medical and psychological treatment for inmates at Waupun and calls for accountability and meaningful changes in prison practices.
Attorney Lonnie Story, representing Hoffman’s daughter Megan Hoffman Kolb, expressed the family’s hope that the lawsuit will prompt reforms in the treatment of inmates at Waupun and other correctional facilities. The lawsuit also sheds light on the prison staff’s alleged negligence in monitoring and providing necessary care to inmates with mental health issues, citing instances where medications were withheld and policies were not followed.
The ongoing lockdown at Waupun and Green Bay Correctional, both maximum-security prisons, has been a point of contention, with concerns raised about the adequacy of healthcare and access to essential services for inmates. While some restrictions have been lifted in recent months, critics argue that these modifications do not address the fundamental issues of inadequate medical care, lack of medication, and insufficient psychological services for prisoners.
In addition to the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Hoffman’s family, another class-action lawsuit by Wisconsin prisoners highlights the “cruel and unusual” conditions at Waupun, citing deficiencies in both physical and mental health care. The lawsuits underscore broader systemic challenges within the state’s correctional system, prompting calls for comprehensive reforms to prioritize the well-being and safety of incarcerated individuals.