Prison Staff Shortage at Waupun Fuels Inhumane Conditions After Historic Lockdown

Matthew Neumann writes about how prison staff shortages impact prisoners’ already limited quality of life. When prisons can’t maintain sufficient staff, life for the incarcerated becomes even more stifled.

Waupun Correctional Institution (WCI) remains the oldest operating dungeon in the Midwest. Built in the early 1800s, these walls hold some skeletons from all walks of life. In the wake of our longest prison lockdown of any U.S. prison history, WCI struggles to reopen to pre-lockdown operations. Prison staff shortage continues to be the foremost obstacle. COs often complain about forced overtime, with some clocking in upwards of 90 hours in a seven-day work week. It’s not out of the ordinary to see staff with their heads down taking a snooze, or even some taking a full-blown nap.

Leadership Failures at WCI Deepen Prison Staff Shortage and Operational Breakdown

The directorial prison executives of WCI lack the necessary quality and competence to maintain even the minimum basic prison operations. Their failure to not only hire adequate staff—and more significant, to not adequately train, supervise, and keep what new staff they do hire—remains to have devastating effects on WCI prison conditions.

WCI’s ongoing staff shortages, inadequate policies, poor training, and lack of accountability continue to leave inmates locked in 5×9 windowless cells with no out-of-cell recreational time. These conditions, still present after a so-called “soft reopening” following the historic lockdown, persist despite the criminal charges filed against several prison officials—including Warden Randal Hepp. The core issues remain unaddressed.

Our country was founded on the high ideals of the 8th Amendment, that those who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in prison must not be subjected to “cruel and unusual punishment.”

Executive prison officials have persistently suppressed, omitted, or neglected to release vital prison staff shortage data occurring at WCI, especially if the prison is accepting another 200 new inmates while still not at even the basic minimum prison operations.

Inexperienced, Foreign and Untrained Recruits Struggle to Fill Gaps in WCI’s Staffing Crisis

Recently, WCI received a new group of academy graduates—most of whom dropped out during training. The majority were either fresh out of high school or immigrants from Nigeria on refugee visas, many of whom speak limited English. The younger American hires were typically the first to leave, leaving inmates largely supervised by staff who struggle with communication—something many inmates find concerning.

Language barriers have created significant problems. During medical emergencies or even basic requests—like getting a toilet reset—communication becomes a frustrating and sometimes dangerous ordeal. Toilets, equipped with overflow sensors designed to prevent flooding, frequently malfunction. Once they do, a CO must be found to reset them. When staff can’t understand or respond appropriately, a malfunctioning toilet in a 45-square-foot cell becomes a serious health and hygiene issue—especially in the heat of summer. Picture a hot, humid day, a full toilet that won’t flush, and a CO at your door who can’t understand what you’re saying during chow time.

Before the lockdown, WCI closed the BHU building and one general population cell hall. Also lost were the chow hall, bakery, and rehabilitative programs—none of which have returned. Due to staffing shortages, out-of-cell time is extremely limited. Today, inmates were given a choice: shower or go outside for 90 minutes. One or the other.

On this hot afternoon, I chose fresh air and walked the track with some fellow inmates. But each time we passed the basketball court and I saw the guys soaked in sweat, I thought, “And you won’t get a shower until who knows when.” Still, I chose movement and human contact, knowing how critical that is for both our physical and mental health.

Even with these ongoing issues—reduced staff, minimal movement, and post-lockdown limitations—WCI is still taking in more inmates. The BHU has reopened, and the general population unit is expected to follow.

Interested in reading more? Check out There are lots of suicides and suicide attempts after 7 months of lockdown here at Waupun prison

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