Relatives of dead Wisconsin prison inmates shocked guards have not been charged in their case

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Relatives of two inmates who died at a former maximum-security Wisconsin prison say they are stunned that prosecutors have not brought charges in the cases after bringing multiple counts against the warden and other prison employees in connection with the deaths of two other prisoners.

Four inmates have died at the Waupun Correctional Facility in the past year. Authorities announced misconduct and abuse charges Wednesday against Warden Randall Hepp and eight of his aides in the deaths of two prisoners, Cameron Williams and Donald Maier. The charges have reignited debate over prisoner mistreatment, the chronic shortage of guards in the state’s prison system and whether the state should replace Waupun and another prison in Green Bay. Both facilities were built in the 1800s.

Dodge County Prosecutor Andrea Will has chosen not to charge anyone in the deaths of Dean Hoffmann, who committed suicide in solitary confinement in June 2023, and Tyshun Lemons, who died of a fentanyl overdose in October .

“I’m outraged,” said Lemons’ sister, Iema Lemons. “I was even more upset yesterday. Thanks to a lot of prayer, I feel a little better today. »

Hoffmann’s daughter, Megan Kolb, said she was “thrilled” when she learned authorities planned to file charges in connection with the deaths of the Waupun inmates.

She felt “major anxiety” Wednesday morning before watching Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt’s afternoon news conference. She said she screamed when they announced the charges in Williams’ and Maier’s deaths — “there was finally some accountability,” she said — but was disappointed when they said no one would be charged in her father’s death. She said no one cared that he suffered from mental illness and no one helped him.

“Mental health care is not viewed in the same way as physical care,” Kolb said. “No sane person would do that. So yes, I’m disappointed. »

State Department of Corrections officials did not immediately respond to messages Friday. Hepp’s attorney, Robert Webb, said his office is evaluating the allegations and declined further comment.

According to criminal complaints, Williams died of a stroke on Oct. 29, but no one found his body until late the next morning, at least 12 hours later. The nurse, sergeant and lieutenant charged in his death would never have checked on him that night.

Maier died Feb. 22 of dehydration and malnutrition, according to the complaints. He suffered from serious mental health issues, but refused or did not receive his medication in the eight days before his death. Guards told investigators he flooded his cell so they turned off the water. Prosecutors also alleged that Maier was not fed for the four days before his death. Hepp was charged with gross misconduct in public office in connection with the death.

Separately, Schmidt said at his news conference that Hoffman had not received any medication in the three days before his death, but investigators could not determine whether staff had not given him any or whether he had refused to take it.

Hoffmann’s drug distribution documentation was “totally inaccurate,” Schmidt said. Staff committed policy violations, he said, but none of those violations rose to a criminal level, the sheriff said.

According to Schmidt, no malpractice was alleged by prison staff in Lemons’ death. Investigators are concerned about widespread smuggling of contraband into the prison. Waupun has been in a state of isolation since March 2023 due to a shortage of guards.

Schmidt’s investigation into the deaths is now closed, but an internal investigation by the state Department of Prisons continues. The U.S. Justice Department is also investigating allegations that prison employees smuggled contraband into the facility.

It’s been nearly a year since Hoffmann died, but Kolb says she’s still angry. She filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit in February, alleging that Waupun staff, including Hepp, failed to provide her father with adequate mental health care and medication.

“If you’re not doing your job and you’re torturing and neglecting the people in their care, it’s just as bad as the crimes people commit to get in there,” she said. “I don’t know why they think they’re judge and jury and they can determine how these people live their lives.”

Lemons’ sister filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit Thursday, a day after charges were announced in the deaths of Maier and Williams, alleging the state Department of Corrections failed to prevent drugs illegal to enter Waupun.

“They don’t take care of people there. They treat them without decency. It’s just disgusting,” she said. “I think they need to tear it all down. They need to start again with new leadership. They have to take all the trash out.”