Wisconsin prison warden faces charges just before retiring following inmate deaths

The warden and eight staff members of a maximum-security prison in Wisconsin were charged Wednesday following the deaths of four inmates over the past year.

Randall Hepp, the warden of Waupun Correctional Institution, and three of the staff members were charged with misconduct in public office, according to Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt. All eight staff members face charges of inmate abuse.

“We are operating the oldest prison in the state of Wisconsin in a dangerous and reckless manner,” Schmidt said at a press conference.

Dean Hoffman, a Waupun inmate, died by suicide in June 2023 after spending nine days in solitary confinement. His daughter filed a federal lawsuit alleging that prison officials did not provide him with sufficient medications and mental healthcare.

In October, Tyshun Lemons died in prison after overdosing on fentanyl and Cameron Williams died of a stroke. Williams’s body was not discovered for at least 12 hours after his death.

The death of the fourth inmate, Donald Maier, in February was ruled a homicide due to malnutrition and water deprivation, according to Schmidt.

The charges against Hepp and the eight staff members concern the deaths of Williams and Maier. If convicted, Hepp, who announced his retirement last week, could face up to 3 1/2 years in prison.

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections is investigating the prison’s operations, and three of the inmate deaths are subject to federal lawsuits. In October, a group of inmates filed a lawsuit alleging that the conditions created by a prison lockdown instituted last year constituted cruel and unusual punishment.

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Schmidt said he could investigate further criminal charges if the state investigation uncovers additional evidence.

“There must be accountability and justice,” Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI) said. “And I believe accountability and justice insist that both internal and law enforcement investigations must continue until they have been exhaustively and thoroughly completed.”