Sixth inmate dies at troubled Wisconsin maximum security prison

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A sixth inmate has died astatine Wisconsin's oldest prison, little than a twelvemonth aft the then-warden and aggregate members of his unit were charged with misconduct and felony inmate abuse.

The authorities Department of Corrections offender website notes that 23-year-old Damien Evans died Tuesday astatine the Waupun Correctional Institution. The tract does not connection immoderate details. A Corrections spokesperson didn't instantly instrumentality a connection Wednesday. Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt said successful an email to The Associated Press that his bureau is investigating Evans' decease but helium had nary accusation to share. Dodge County Medical Examiner PJ Schoebel didn't instantly instrumentality a connection seeking comment.

Online tribunal records bespeak Evans was sentenced successful 2019 to 7 years successful situation for equipped robbery and an further 2 years to beryllium served concurrently for bail jumping. Both cases were filed successful Racine County.

Evans is the sixth Waupun inmate to person died successful custody since June 2023. Two killed themselves, 1 died of a fentanyl overdose, 1 died of a stroke, and 1 died of dehydration and malnutrition.

Prosecutors past twelvemonth charged warden Randall Hepp with misconduct and 8 members of his unit with felony inmate maltreatment successful transportation with the deaths of 2 of the prisoners, Cameron Williams and Donald Maier. Three of the 8 unit members besides were charged with misconduct. Hepp subsequently retired.

According to transgression complaints, Williams died of a changeable successful October 2023. His assemblage went undiscovered for astatine slightest 12 hours.

Maier died of dehydration and malnutrition. He had terrible intelligence wellness problems but either refused oregon wasn't fixed his medicine successful the 8 days starring up to his February 2024 death.

Federal investigators besides person been looking into an alleged smuggling ringing involving Waupun situation employees. Gov. Tony Evers bureau has said the probe has resulted successful the suspension of astir a twelve employees. A erstwhile situation idiosyncratic pleaded guilty successful September to smuggling cellphones, baccy and drugs into the installation successful speech for money.

Waupun inmates person filed a class-action suit alleging mistreatment and a deficiency of wellness care.

The maximum information situation was built successful the 1850s. Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike person been calling for years to close it. Concerns astir section occupation losses and the outgo of gathering a replacement situation person been stymied progress.

Evers, a Democrat, past period projected a multitiered, $500 cardinal plan for the state's prisons that includes converting Waupun to a mean information halfway focused connected occupation grooming for inmates.