The warden of Wisconsin’s oldest prison and eight other employees have been arrested after an investigation into the deaths of four inmates over the past year.
Randall Hepp, the warden of Waupun Correctional Institution, was arrested just before he was supposed to update reporters about the investigation.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office said one inmate died from dehydration and malnutrition after guards occasionally denied him food and water. Another inmate, who died from a stroke, wasn’t found for about 12 hours.
“It made me angry to see what was happening in that prison,” Sheriff Dale Schmidt said on Wednesday. “These people were not taken care of, and we will hold those responsible accountable.”
Mr. Hepp is charged with misconduct in public office. The other eight employees are charged with inmate abuse, and three of them also face misconduct charges.
Mr. Hepp had announced his retirement plans for the end of June. He faces over three years in prison if convicted.
The charges relate to the deaths of two men, Donald Maier, 62, and Cameron Williams, 24. Investigators say Mr. Williams died of a stroke after falling. He had repeatedly asked for medical help, but prison staff ignored him.
Mr. Maier died from dehydration and malnutrition after staff allegedly turned off the water to his cell and refused to give him meals. Guards claimed he had mental health issues and had previously flooded his cell.