More than 500 new cases of coronavirus among inmates and staff are now being reported at Waupon Correctional Institution and Jackson Correctional Institution.
The Wisconsin State Journal reporting 388 cases at Waupon and 140 active cases at Jackson as of Monday.
The two outbreaks come on the heels of outbreaks at five other prisons and jails in Wisconsin over the last month. Kettle Moraine, Oshkosh, Racine, Green Bay and Dodge all reporting outbreaks of at least 100 cases. The largest among them, Kettle Moraine, which reported more than 870 positive cases at its peak.
At least two inmates have died at Dodge County Correctional Institution from complications of coronavirus. The paper reporting at least two other deaths, one at Green Bay, the other at Kettle Moraine.
Tim Muth, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) tells WTMJ the outbreaks don’t come as a surprise.
“We’ve been warning about this since back in March and April because the virus, once it gets inside, just spread like wildfire,” Muth said. “Unfortunately what we predicted back in April we are really seeing right now.”
A former inmate at Racine County JAil detailed his time in prison during an outbreak in early October to WTMJ, saying inmates aren’t given PPE and have, at times, taken it upon themselves to cover up.
“Guys are using shirts, towels, old socks, and wrapping them around their faces,” Phillip Guttierez said at the time. “The only time guys are allowed masks is if they have a court date.”
An attorney for Governor Evers earlier this month said the Department of Corrections has, “been very agressive in making sure inmates needs have been met,” but did not elaborate on what steps are being taken.
The most recent outbreak was discovered after the Wisconsin National Guard conducted mass testing at Waupon last week.
