In Madison, Wisconsin, a federal judge has denied a request from Republican lawmakers to grant more flexibility to counselors at the troubled youth prison following a counselor’s death during a scuffle at the facility. U.S. District Judge James Peterson communicated in a letter to state Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Van Wanggaard and Democratic Governor Tony Evers that any desired changes at Lincoln Hills-Copper Lake Schools should be pursued through a formal legal motion, stressing the necessity to demonstrate that the current limitations on counselors jeopardize the safety of staff and inmates.
The youth prison in northern Wisconsin has faced allegations of staff mistreatment towards inmates, including excessive use of pepper spray, restraints, and strip searches. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit in 2017 demanding enhancements at the facility, resulting in a consent decree in 2018 under then-Governor Scott Walker’s administration. The decree prohibits punitive confinement, limits confinement time to 12 hours, restricts mechanical restraints to handcuffs, and prohibits pepper spray usage.
Republican lawmakers, led by Wanggaard, have been advocating for easing the consent decree following the tragic death of counselor Corey Proulx. Proulx was fatally injured in June after being punched by a 16-year-old inmate, leading to his death two days later. Wanggaard and other GOP members wrote to Evers, Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy, and Judge Peterson in mid-August expressing concerns that the decree’s restrictions have escalated the prison’s risk levels for both staff and juveniles.
Governor Evers, in a separate letter to Judge Peterson, defended maintaining the consent decree intact, highlighting that severe staff mistreatment prompted the restrictions initially and mentioned gradual improvements since Proulx’s passing. Judge Peterson, in his letter, remarked on the necessity of a legal motion to facilitate discussions on potential alterations and emphasized the importance of ensuring humane treatment standards for inmates.
Wanggaard, in correspondence, reiterated his commitment to advocating for comprehensive training and resources at the youth prison. While the possibility of GOP legislators filing a motion remains uncertain, suggestions were made that Evers could instruct Hoy to seek modifications to the consent decree, enhancing operational policies at the facility. Responses from Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback and Department of Corrections spokesperson Beth Hardtke were not immediately available.
This article has been revised to correct the date of the governor’s letter to the judge to Aug. 14, instead of Aug. 16.