Waupun Correctional Institution

Infobox nrhp
name = Wisconsin State Prison Historic District
nrhp_type = hd

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caption = Photographed by H. H. Bennett in 1893
location = 200 S. Madison St
Waupun, Wisconsin
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added =January 22, 1992
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refnum = 91001994
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governing_body = The Waupun Correctional Institution is a maximum security penitentiary near the center of Waupun, Wisconsin. The prison is currently under the command of Warden Michael Thurmer.

On July 4, 1851, Governor Nelson Dewey 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. [ [http://www.wi-doc.com/waupun.htm Waupun Correctional Institution ] ]

On December 3, 2001, Warden Gary Mcaughtry (retired 2004) hired the first Pagan Priestess (Rev. Jamyi J. Witch SMW) to serve as one of the institution's two acting chaplains. [ [http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=3593 JS Online: Wiccan defends right to be chaplain ] ] [ [http://www2.jsonline.com/news/state/dec01/witch06120501a.asp JS Online: Rite of passage: Wiccan is new state prison chaplain ] ]

Although the prison is designed to hold 882 men, as of 2007 it held 1,241.

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. Todd Richmond, "Hostage at Wis. Prison Freed", [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jkYSfoZoK_eLzxFrmSSeDMXHx54wD8STL8O00 "Associated Press"] , retrieved November 14, 2007]

References

External links

* [http://www.wi-doc.com/waupun.htm Waupun Correctional Institution]

References