Charge against former Wisconsin warden in inmate deaths is reduced to a misdemeanor
Prosecutors reduced the felony misconduct charge against former Wisconsin prison warden Hepp to a misdemeanor in connection with the deaths of inmates Cameron Williams and Donald Maier at Waupun Correctional Institution. Williams, who suffered a stroke, was left unattended for 12 hours, while Maier died from dehydration and malnutrition, with evidence suggesting neglect and mishandling by prison staff. Eight staff members were initially charged, but charges against some have been reduced or dismissed, while others are still pending. The prison, criticized for its conditions and management, faces a federal investigation into smuggling and a class-action lawsuit from inmates. Despite calls to close the facility, Governor Tony Evers has advocated for broader criminal justice reform and a plan for inmate relocation rather than immediate closure.
Hepp, the former warden of Waupun Correctional Institution, faced a felony misconduct charge related to the deaths of inmates Cameron Williams and Donald Maier, which has now been reduced to a misdemeanor as part of a plea deal.
Cameron Williams died of a stroke after being left unattended for at least 12 hours, despite having previously expressed the need for medical attention, while Donald Maier suffered from dehydration and malnutrition, exacerbated by possible medication neglect and inadequate food and water access.
Eight staff members were initially charged with misconduct or abuse; however, one charge was dismissed, one staffer pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge, and cases against six others are ongoing.
The Waupun Correctional Institution, Wisconsin's oldest maximum-security prison, has faced numerous issues, including a federal smuggling investigation and a class-action lawsuit from inmates alleging inhumane conditions and poor healthcare.
Despite significant criticisms and several inmate deaths, Governor Tony Evers has resisted closing the facility, focusing instead on comprehensive criminal justice reform and developing plans to accommodate the prison's current inmate population.