WAUPUN, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Green Bay officials have suggested closing both the Green Bay Correctional Institution and the Waupun Correctional Institution after the results of a bombshell investigation into WCI were announced last week.
The former warden at Waupun Correctional, along with eight other employees, were arrested Wednesday. All are charged in connection with the deaths of two inmates.
In response to the charges, Gov. Tony Evers said, “We have an obligation to make sure that people in our care, officers and staff, and our communities are safe.”
These charges, and the ongoing issues at Green Bay’s prison, are putting Wisconsin’s corrections system back under the microscope. But Waupun Mayor Rohn Bishop is still standing by the city’s prison.
“We like the prison. We would like it to stay here, we would like it to stay open,” Bishop said.
Bishop’s support comes even after the arrests of nine employees, including former warden Randall Hepp.
“I think a lot of correctional officers feel like no one has their back and I at least want them to know the mayor of Waupun appreciates what they do,” Bishop said.
Mayor Bishop said the prison is deeply rooted in the history and economy of Waupun. But the facility’s age, staffing shortages and investigations into inmate deaths have some questioning the future of both GBCI and WCI.
“The governor has indicated to the legislature — who I have spoken with — he’s not in favor of building another prison,” Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt said. “I would ask why not? One new prison could replace two prisons.”
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt holds a news conference June 5, 2024 to discuss the results of an investigation into the deaths of four inmates at Waupun Correctional Institution. (WLUK video)
“I said, ‘Well, you know, I’m gonna push back on that’ and he smiled and said, ‘I expect nothing less from you,'” Bishop said. “So he knows that as the mayor, I’m going to go to bat for Waupun, Waupun Correctional and our city.”
Bishop said he understands the need for updates to the prison, but doesn’t want the prison to lose jobs or its history. However, others suggest that’s not the best course of action.
“I’ve been saying for eight years that it’s time to close these crumbling facilities,” State Representative David Steffen said.
“Save lives, we’re losing lives,” Allouez Village President Jim Rafter said. “These places are not meant to do what they need to do today.”
Steffen and Rafter have both for years been advocating for the closure of Green Bay Correctional. In light of this week’s shocking arrests, they’re now calling for the closure of Waupun Correctional as well.
“Do your own thing in Green Bay. Leave my prison out of it, because we’re not in the same situation you’re in,” Bishop said. “And I say that respectfully, like I’m not trying to pick a fight with them. I would just like them to leave Waupun alone.”
Bishop said the difference is the type of relationship the city has with the facility.
“They want theirs closed, we don’t want ours [closed],” Bishop said. “What’s ticking me off is we keep getting sucked into the same argument. They argue that Green Bay should be closed because it’s too old, it’s outdated, it’s dangerous. And they’re always like, ‘Well, Waupun’s older.’ Well, leave us alone.'”
A vigil was held outside Waupun Correctional Sunday. It recognized those who died while incarcerated there.
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