A mother’s federal lawsuit reveals Wisconsin’s oldest maximum security prison left her son to die from dehydration with his water deliberately turned off, sparking the fourth legal action against a facility where seven inmates have died since 2023.
Key Takeaways
- Donald Maier, 62, died in February 2024 from probable malnutrition and dehydration while in solitary confinement at Waupun Correctional Institution.
- Guards allegedly turned off water to Maier’s cell and failed to provide drinking water, violating protocol for prisoner care.
- Former Warden Randall Hepp’s felony misconduct charge was reduced to a misdemeanor with only a $500 fine, which Maier’s mother called a “slap on the wrist.”
- At least seven inmates have died at Waupun since 2023, with four lawsuits now filed by grieving families.
- The troubled facility faces additional federal investigations into alleged smuggling and staff misconduct.
A Pattern of Negligence Exposed
Wisconsin’s oldest prison is facing mounting legal challenges as families demand accountability for a disturbing series of inmate deaths. Jeanette Maier, mother of Donald Maier who died at Waupun Correctional Institution, has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and prison staff after her son died from dehydration and malnutrition in February 2024. Her legal action marks the fourth lawsuit brought by relatives of inmates who have died at this troubled facility since 2023, highlighting a potential systemic failure in prisoner care and oversight.
The lawsuit details how the 62-year-old inmate was placed in solitary confinement where guards allegedly violated protocol by turning off water to his cell. Despite policies requiring adequate drinking water for all prisoners, staff reportedly failed to document water shut-offs, failed to inform Maier when water was restored, and critically, failed to provide alternative water sources during these periods. These actions, combined with alleged neglect of Maier’s deteriorating health condition, directly contributed to his death from malnutrition and dehydration.
Justice Denied: Minimal Consequences for Leadership
The legal complaint names multiple defendants including Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy, former Warden Randall Hepp, and several staff members. Particularly troubling is how Hepp, originally charged with felony misconduct in relation to Maier’s death, saw his charge reduced to a misdemeanor resulting in only a $500 fine. This minimal consequence for a preventable death has outraged Maier’s family who see it as institutional protection rather than accountability.
“slap on the wrist” said Jeanette Maier
The lawsuit further alleges that Hepp was fully aware of substantial risks within the prison, including chronic understaffing and inadequate training. These systemic issues created dangerous conditions that ultimately resulted in what the lawsuit characterizes as “deliberate indifference” to Maier’s medical needs. The family is seeking damages, attorney fees, and a trial by jury in what appears to be a clear case of institutional failure with deadly consequences.
A Facility in Crisis
Waupun Correctional Institution, established in 1854, has descended into a state of apparent dysfunction. Staff shortages have reportedly left workers exhausted from mandatory overtime and extra shifts, creating a toxic environment where proper care protocols are frequently ignored. Maier, who was designated as having a serious mental illness, did not receive his necessary medication while at Waupun, further demonstrating the facility’s inadequate handling of vulnerable inmates.
“MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The mother of an inmate who died of dehydration and malnutrition at Wisconsin’s oldest maximum security prison last year has filed a federal lawsuit, marking the fourth action brought by relatives of inmates who have died at the troubled institution since 2023.” according to AP
Beyond the death cases, federal investigators are also probing smuggling operations at Waupun, with at least one former employee already pleading guilty to related charges. A federal class-action lawsuit alleging inhumane conditions at the facility was filed but later dropped in August 2024 due to procedural issues, not because the claims lacked merit. Eight Waupun staffers have been charged with abuse or misconduct related to Maier or another inmate’s death, though many charges have been dismissed or resulted in minimal fines.
Authorities Dodge Responsibility
As the fourth lawsuit related to inmate deaths makes its way through the legal system, prison authorities appear reluctant to address the serious allegations publicly. When contacted about the mounting legal challenges, corrections spokesperson Kevin Hoffman declined to engage with the substance of the claims, stating that the agency typically doesn’t comment on pending litigation. This response pattern suggests an institutional unwillingness to acknowledge potential wrongdoing or implement meaningful reforms.
“Corrections spokesperson Kevin Hoffman declined to comment, saying the agency typically doesn’t speak publicly about pending litigation.” said Kevin Hoffman
The disturbing pattern of deaths and allegations at Waupun underscores a critical failure in our correctional system. While prisoners have been convicted of crimes, the Constitution guarantees them protection from cruel and unusual punishment. Death by dehydration while in state custody represents an unacceptable breakdown in the most basic duties of care and supervision. As more families come forward with similar stories, the need for comprehensive reform and accountability at this troubled institution becomes increasingly urgent.
