MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The warden of a maximum-security Wisconsin prison and eight members of his staff have been charged following investigations into the deaths of four inmates at the troubled facility over the past year. Waupun Correctional Institution’s warden, Randall Hepp, is charged with misconduct in public office, Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt, who led the investigations into the deaths, said at a news conference. The remaining staff face felony charges of abuse of residents of penal facilities. “We are operating the oldest prison in the state of Wisconsin in a dangerous and reckless manner,” Schmidt said, referring to the Waupon facility. If convicted, Hepp faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. All nine defendants, including had court appearances Wednesday afternoon, said Schmidt. All nine defendants no longer work for the state Department of Corrections or have been put on unpaid leave, the agency said in a statement. Prior to the charges, all of those charged except for the warden were either under ongoing internal investigation, had been placed on leave or fired, the corrections department said. The state will not be providing legal representation to any of those charged, the corrections department said.
