US Warden Faces Charges Following Inmate’s Death From Malnutrition: Authorities

DEBARYLIFE – Eight other prison staff members and the warden of Wisconsin’s oldest prison have been taken into custody as a result of an investigation into the deaths of four prisoners in the previous year.

The maximum-security Waupun Correctional Institution warden, Randall Hepp, was taken into custody just before he was scheduled to address reporters during a briefing regarding the status of the investigation into the fatalities.

According to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, a guy died from malnourishment and dehydration after guards repeatedly refused him food and water. It took almost 12 hours to find the body of another man who had suffered a stroke.

Sheriff Dale Schmidt told reporters on Wednesday, “It infuriated me seeing the things that were happening in that prison.”

“These folks weren’t taken care of,” he said. “And we will hold those accountable who are at fault.”

Misconduct in public office is the charge against Mr. Hepp.

There are charges of inmate maltreatment against the other eight employees. Misconduct in office is another charge against three of them.

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It was revealed last week that Mr. Hepp intended to retire at the end of June.

His sentence might be more than three years.

Two men, Donald Maier, 62, and Cameron Williams, 24, are the subjects of the charges.

Investigators say that following a fall, Mr. Williams suffered a stroke and died. Prison officials are accused of disregarding him despite the fact that he had frequently complained of medical distress before the disaster.

After personnel allegedly turned off the water in Mr. Maier’s cell and refused to bring him food, he passed away from malnourishment and dehydration. He had flooded his cell before, according to the guards, and was experiencing mental health problems.

Statistics from June 2023 provided by the Department of Corrections show that 1,001 inmates are housed at the Waupun Correction Institution. 1851 saw its construction.

Federal authorities were reportedly looking into a possible prison staff smuggling network, according to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers in March.