Mayor’s Column March 25th, 2023
Rohn Bishop, Mayor of Waupun
Hello Waupun!!
On Tuesday I had the opportunity to tour the Waupun Correctional Institution, in what has been the most fascinating tour I’ve taken yet as mayor. Waupun Correctional means a lot to Waupun, and not just to our economy; it’s part of our identity. WCI opened 172 years ago in 1851, and is one of the nation’s longest, continuing serving prisons. Walking amongst the population of the prison, checking out cell halls, sitting in a cell, and meeting the amazing people who work there was a very educational experience.
One of the reasons I wanted to take the tour is that the wall, that separates us from those who live on the inside, also separates us from seeing the important work that goes on in there. Meeting so many of the amazing people who help keep us safe, and the inmates safe, was very interesting, especially meeting the people who work in the Restrictive Housing Unit. It was troubling to see some of the unstable inmates, and the steps staff take to keep them from harming themselves.
The two most interesting stops on my tour for me were, metal fabrication (license plates!) and the school. I learned that all of Wisconsin’s license plates are made here in Waupun and what goes into making all the different style plates. The school was neat because it really felt like a school and not a prison. For many of the inmates, learning a trade or getting an education turns their life around after they are released, and with the current labor shortage, they’re in demand, too.
After touring and seeing first-hand the work that goes on inside the prison, I wish to end this with a warning to folks on both sides of the political aisle. To my more liberal friends, it’s easy to criticize the treatment of an inmate, or second guess the decisions of an employee, but please remember, some of the inmates are just rotten people. People willing to shout racial slurs, fling poop, be combative, and are just mean. And to my more conservative friends. It’s popular to campaign with slogans like “lock them up and throw away the key,” but the reality is running prisons is expensive… very expensive, but corrections is worth investing in, because locking bad people up does keep us safer!
Some inmates look at prison as an opportunity to get an education and turn their life around, others are just rotten and will be there forever, but either way, the hard work that goes on inside that wall is helping to keep the rest of us safe.
Corrections is a very challenging job, but also a very rewarding one. As you know WCI is hiring and they offer a very good pay and benefit package. The staff I met liked working there and were all around positive. If working at WCI interest you, I have informational packets at city hall.
Finally, I want to thank Warden Randy Hepp for taking the time to give us such a neat tour. I was most impressed that even as busy as the warden is, as we walked around, he knew all the staff, and even most of the inmates! He’s very involved and has a passion for corrections, WCI, and its long history.
Reminder: Wednesday at 5:00 is our Waupun specific budget listening session with Senator Feyen and Rep. Schraa. I hope to see you there!
Thank you and God Bless,
Mayor Rohn
