Wisconsin Prison Guard Pleads No Contest in Inmate Deaths Case

Sarah Ransbottom is the first of eight charged staff to resolve her case in connection to two inmate deaths at Waupun Correctional Institution.

Sarah Ransbottom, a former guard at Waupun Correctional Institution, pleaded no contest to a reduced charge and paid a $250 fine.
Ransbottom was initially charged with misconduct related to the deaths of inmates Donald Maier and Cameron Williams during a yearlong lockdown.
The prison, struggling with staffing shortages, has faced allegations of mistreatment and poor conditions, leading to a class action lawsuit.
Five inmates have died at Waupun since June 2023, prompting a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into potential misconduct.
Ransbottom cited severe understaffing and long work hours as factors contributing to operational failures at the prison.