Waupun Correctional Institution
Encyclopedia
The Waupun Correctional Institution is a maximum security penitentiary
near the center of Waupun
, Wisconsin
. The prison is currently under the command of Warden William Pollard.
chose the Waupun area to be the site of the state's penitentiary. The first building was completed in 1854, and is still in use today as the South Cell Hall. Many additions were made over the years in 1855, 1906, 1913, 1940 and 1998. The prison was added to the National Register of Historic Places
as the "Wisconsin State Prison Historic District" in 1992.
There has never been an execution in the prison, as Wisconsin abolished capital punishment the year before construction of the facility.
SMW) to serve as one of the institution's two acting chaplains.
On November 14, 2007, Stuart Ellanson, a 38 year old convicted murderer took a dental technician hostage. The prison was placed on lockdown. The incident ended peacefully.
Photos of media at standoff.
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
near the center of Waupun
Waupun, Wisconsin
Waupun is a city in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 10,718 at the 2000 census. In Fond du Lac County, there is also the Town of Waupun which abuts the city of Waupun....
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. The prison is currently under the command of Warden William Pollard.
History
On July 4, 1851, Governor Nelson DeweyNelson Dewey
Nelson Dewey was a politician from the U.S. state of Wisconsin; he was the first Governor of Wisconsin, serving from 1848 until 1852.- Early life :...
chose the Waupun area to be the site of the state's penitentiary. The first building was completed in 1854, and is still in use today as the South Cell Hall. Many additions were made over the years in 1855, 1906, 1913, 1940 and 1998. The prison was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as the "Wisconsin State Prison Historic District" in 1992.
There has never been an execution in the prison, as Wisconsin abolished capital punishment the year before construction of the facility.
Recent events
On December 3, 2001, Warden Gary Mcaughtry (retired 2004) hired the first Pagan Priestess (Rev. Jamyi J. WitchWisconsin witch hunt
The Wisconsin witch hunt was a 2001-2002 political scandal and religious persecution in which two Wisconsin politicians used their public offices to attempt to terminate the employment of a Wisconsin state employee because of her unpopular religious beliefs as a Wiccan or witch.-Genesis of...
SMW) to serve as one of the institution's two acting chaplains.
On November 14, 2007, Stuart Ellanson, a 38 year old convicted murderer took a dental technician hostage. The prison was placed on lockdown. The incident ended peacefully.
Photos of media at standoff.