Former Wisconsin prison employee pleads guilty to smuggling contraband

William Lee Homan, a 47-year-old facilities repair worker at the Waupun Correctional Institution, has pleaded guilty to smuggling contraband into the maximum-security prison. Between July 2022 and September 2023, he received over $53,000 in payments from inmates and their associates in exchange for bringing in items such as cellphones, tobacco, and controlled substances. Homan concealed the contraband in his pants while entering the facility, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The prison has been under federal investigation due to allegations of smuggling involving its employees. This investigation has led to the suspension of nearly a dozen staff members, including the former warden, Randall Hepp, and eight others, who face charges related to misconduct linked to several inmate deaths. Since June 2023, five inmates have died at Waupun, raising concerns about the prison's conditions and the treatment of inmates. The ongoing federal probe is part of a broader scrutiny of the prison, which is Wisconsin's oldest maximum-security facility. Inmates have filed a class action lawsuit alleging mistreatment, including inadequate access to healthcare. The situation has drawn attention to the systemic issues within the prison system, particularly regarding employee conduct and inmate welfare. Homan's sentencing is set for December 12, with the charge carrying a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. The case highlights the serious implications of corruption within correctional facilities and the need for reform to ensure the safety and rights of inmates.