WAUPUN -- A doctor at Waupun Correctional Institution tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to an email sent Wednesday, March 18 by Waupun Correctional Institution Warden Brian Foster. The Waupun Correctional Institute, a maximum-security prison that houses more than 1,200 inmates.
This message was sent out to all prison staff in Waupun:
Roughly 300 guards monitor the more than 1,200 inmates. One guard who agreed to speak with FOX6 News on the condition he remain anonymous noted Thursday there's plenty of concern among his colleagues.
"You can't really put hand sanitizer out because the inmates will drink it," he said.
Chris Ott with the ACLU of Wisconsin called on policymakers to consider releasing prisoners close to release, or those especially vulnerable to COVID-19 because of their age.
"I think really helps to show the urgency of the situation," said Ott. "What we're urging is to look at individual cases. We're not saying just open the doors, let everybody out."
DOC officials suspended all visits at DOC institutions on March 13 "to protect staff and persons in our care very seriously, and out of an abundance of caution," in an effort to minimize the risk of bringing COVID-19 into DOC facilities.
The same day, officials moved to suspend medical co-pays so that "anyone who is incarcerated and exhibiting symptoms related to COVID-19" can seek medical attention right away.
On March 16, officials suspended work-release at state correctional facilities effective immediately.
The next day, officials announced "several strategies" being implemented to "keep our staff and clients safe," noting that some staff would begin working remotely, and clients were being allowed to report to their agents by video conference.
Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections issued the following statement:
FOX6 News received this statement from the Waupun emergency management director and city administrator: