7th Inmate Dies at Wisconsin's Oldest Prison

A seventh inmate has died at Waupun Correctional Institution in Wisconsin. Damien Evans, aged 23, was found dead on Tuesday. He was serving a seven-year prison sentence for armed robbery and two years for bail jumping. The death follows the charge of former warden Randall Hepp and eight staff members with misconduct and felony inmate abuse in 2023.

Seven inmates have died at Waupun since June 2023. Causes of death include suicide, a fentanyl overdose, and other health issues. Jay Adkins, 66, died in May and Christopher McDonald, 57, died in August. McDonald's death is being investigated as a suicide. Cameron Williams and Donald Maier were among previous inmate deaths leading to staff charges. The prison faces a class-action lawsuit from inmates alleging mistreatment and inadequate healthcare.

The prison is also under federal investigation for a smuggling ring involving staff. Governor Tony Evers has proposed a $500 million reform plan for state prisons. The plan suggests converting Waupun to a medium-security facility focused on job training. Waupun Correctional Institution, built in the 1850s, has faced bipartisan calls for closure due to its condition. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)