Lincoln Hills, a correctional facility that the state has ordered to close by 2021. (Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Department of Corrections)

The loss of the youth advisor Corey Proulx The situation remained tense as the State Senate hearing in the Merrill High School auditorium was heavily loaded.

Proulx died from injuries sustained in an attack at Lincoln Hills School on June 24. On August 6, the Senate Judiciary and Safety Committee heard testimony about Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Schools, youth correctional facilities in Irma, Wisconsin. Several Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) administrators and Lincoln Hills staff wore clothing with Proulx’s name on it—the administrators wore ribbons on their suits, the staff wore T-shirts—but staff and administrators told different stories about Lincoln Hills in their testimony before the committee.

A tragic event led to the hearing, DOC Secretary-Designee Jared Hoy said, but “we must not lose sight of the good work and the significant improvements we have achieved over the years.”

Hoy said he doesn’t know “if we’ll know the answer” as to whether Proulx’s death was preventable. He said he has spent hundreds of hours with Lincoln Hills staff and has traveled to and worked at the facility every week since June 25. He said he will continue to be open to suggestions from staff and to making changes.

“We need to find a balance that ensures the safety and well-being of everyone involved,” Hoy said. “We believe in the importance of rehabilitative and evidence-based practices, but that doesn’t mean staff shouldn’t be safe.”

Lawmakers heard testimony from staff and Proulx’s family who argued that Lincoln Hills had not struck that balance. Cory Proulx’s sister-in-law Sarah Proulx said she believed the tragedy of his death could have been prevented.

“Correctional officers and youth counselors rely on you, those in power, to keep them safe,” said Sarah Proulx. “And with the death of youth counselor Corey Proulx, you have failed all correctional officers.”

Lincoln Hills isn’t the only facility under scrutiny. Last month, lawmakers heard concerns about Wisconsin’s corrections system at an Assembly Corrections Committee informational hearing. The DOC was negotiating with a consulting and management firm to conduct a review of DOC policies and procedures and make recommendations, the Examiner reported.

Host of the Wisconsin Eye Lisa Pugh raised the issue of increased supervision of the prison service in an interview with two MPs published on Monday. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam), co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee, said he doesn’t yet know what that will look like. He said he has begun discussions with the congressman. Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh), chairman of the Assembly Corrections Committee, about introducing a bill in the next session.

“Right now, we’re thinking about creating something that I know from my time in the county jail, where there’s a state prison inspection office at the DOC that inspects all the county jails to make sure they’re in compliance with state laws and administrative regulations and constitutional protections,” Born said. “And so I think we’re going to try to develop something similar that will have the same type of oversight in the Department of Corrections.”

Employees speak out about attacks and security concerns

Youth Advisor Nicole Thompson told the Senate committee how she was attacked at her workplace. She said that a teenager who had threatened to harm coworkers was taken out of administrative custody and allowed out of his room.

“The youth approached the cubicle and demanded a toothbrush from me,” Thompson said. “When I opened the door, he lunged at me and punched me in the face, causing my tooth to go through my lip and I fell to the ground. He then punched and kicked me in the back of the head and neck area until a guard was able to pull him off me.”

Youth Counselor in Lincoln Hills Michael Teal said a detained youth who was charged following the attack on Proulx made threats before the attack.

“I’ve spoken to many of my colleagues, so that’s where I get my information,” Teal said. “It was brought to the administration’s attention that (the youth) had made threats … and we did nothing about it.”

All employees undergo training for a physical intervention program called Mandt, said Klint TrevinoSuperintendent for Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake. Several employees criticized Mandt.

“Mandt is not, in my opinion, a safe procedure for staff,” Teal said.

Trevino said it is a misconception that individuals are not allowed to use restraints and that youth counselors are allowed to handcuff a youth if they feel there is imminent danger. Teal testified that he did not believe he had the authority to handcuff someone.

The number of workers’ compensation claims, employee injuries and employee fears for their safety have decreased since the introduction of Mandt, said Ron HermesHead of the Juvenile Justice Department.

“I am fully aware that since Cory’s death, more and more staff members have become fearful for their safety and uncomfortable dealing with the young people,” said Hermes. “This is to be expected after such a traumatic event. The trust between staff and young people has been destroyed. It will take some time for this trust to be restored.”

Sen. Maria Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk) said she attended a meeting on July 8 for former and current employees and families with ties to Lincoln Hills.

“More than 40, maybe 45 people came,” Felzkowski said at the hearing. “And they are angry. They are afraid. These are very different statements than the ones we are hearing from you today.”

At both schools, the number of completed assaults by juveniles on staff has decreased from 189 in fiscal year (FY) 2021 to 166 in FY 2023, according to Department of Corrections data. At Lincoln Hills, there were 44 completed assaults in the first 11 months of FY 2024, and at Copper Lake, there were 106.

This DOC data categorizes incidents as “completed” or “attempted” assaults. According to the data, assaults by youth on staff are less common at Lincoln Hills, but when a reported attack does occur, it is more likely to be successful.

In fiscal year 2017, about three-quarters of attacks on employees were completed, according to the DOC, while the other quarter were classified as “attempted.” In the first 11 months of fiscal year 2024, 93% of attacks were successful.

Employees and family members demand change

Sarah Proulx proposed policy changes including placing detained youth in a separate unit until their mental health and well-being are resolved. She advocated for new restrictions on hygiene products containing irritants and said douches were used as a weapon to attack Cory Proulx’s partner.

“We know that there have been correctional officers and youth counselors in the past who have abused their positions of power through excessive solitary confinement and the use of bear repellent spray or pepper spray,” said Sarah Proulx. “However, the misdeeds of a few should not compromise the safety of all.”

The Department of Corrections is under a court-ordered settlement after the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin filed a lawsuit alleging mistreatment of juvenile inmates. The settlement called for changes at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake, and Hoy said the settlement does not allow the use of pepper spray.

The ban on the use of chemical warfare agents and pepper spray in juvenile facilities “is supported by scientific research and is consistent with national norms and trends,” Hermes said. “It demonstrates our commitment to creating a safer and more supportive environment for the youth in our care.”

Randy Forsterlingwho was formerly incarcerated at Lincoln Hills, also testified at the hearing. He said he hoped that “when we think about quality and what we do here,” it means we get quality education and quality punishment.

“Otherwise, we will keep holding the same hearings over and over again and it will no longer matter who is in charge or who is in charge,” Forsterling said.

In her testimony before lawmakers, Sarah Proulx supported both support staff and inmates affected by the loss of Cory Proulx.

“For youth counselor Cory Proulx, they were more than ‘just prisoners,'” said Sarah Proulx. “They were young men with whom we shared stories and for whom we had respect.”

The Department of Corrections did not send any responses to the examiner’s questions.

Employees describe attacks and security concerns at hearings in Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake was originally published by the Wisconsin Examiner.