By Scott Bauer
Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Corrections said Friday it has ordered body cameras to be worn by security staff at two juvenile prisons that are at the center of a widening investigation into alleged abuse against inmates.
The department said the cameras are part of its “aggressive action to investigate past misconduct, ensure immediate safety of youth, and strengthen school operations moving forward” at the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake juvenile prisons in Irma. Prosecutors have been investigating a range of alleged crimes at the prisons, including sexual assault and physical abuse of youth, witness and victim intimidation, and evidence tampering.
In a lengthy statement, the department said it has taken 13 steps in response to the investigation. Those include ordering that body cameras be worn in “all interactions with youth during acts of youth aggression, crisis intervention, and other circumstances.”
The department also said it was expediting investigation and disciplinary proceedings against staff members involved in abusing inmates, referring allegations of wrongdoing to the secretary’s office, assigning additional psychological staff to the prisons, adding more security supervisors from other prisons to assist, and increasing training for guards.
Current and former staffers at Lincoln Hills and the affiliated Copper Lake School for Girls have described what they called a culture of indifference at the facility. The two facilities about 30 miles north of Wausau house about 250 juveniles.
“The DOC is committed to our vitally important mission of public safety, while protecting our staff and those in our custody,” the department said. “We will spare no effort to ensure these goals are met.”
The agency has said state Juvenile Corrections Administrator Paul Westerhaus and the superintendent of the Irma prisons, John Ourada, were “relieved of their administrative duties” last week.
The department also said all people identified as harming juvenile inmates or putting them at risk have been placed on leave pending the investigation.
Other removed staff members haven’t been identified by the agency, but prisons union representative Troy Bauch said about 10 workers connected to the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake facilities are on paid leave, including one for more than a year.
Current and former workers at Lincoln Hills, which houses male inmates, and the affiliated Copper Lake School for Girls have described what they say is a culture of indifference at the facility. The two facilities about 30 miles north of Wausau house about 250 juveniles.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice began investigating late last year after being notified by the state Department of Corrections about allegations of staffers mistreating prisoners, and a secret John Doe probe began in October. The FBI confirmed on Thursday that it was assisting in the investigation.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press