MADISON, Wis. — Tresa Hewlett is the mother of Damien Hewlett.
He’s an inmate who is currently serving 21 years at the Waupun Correctional Institution (WCI) for armed robbery.
The Waupun Correctional Institution went into lockdown in March 2023 and still remains in modified movement status. Under modified movement status, in-person visitations are not allowed and time spent outside of cells is limited.
Tresa Hewlett said she talks with her son on the phone almost every day.
Damien Hewlett has a criminal record that stretches back to 2011 and includes armed robbery, disorderly conduct, battery and theft.
Tresa Hewlett said her son Damien Hewlett has struggled with a series of mental health issues his entire life. These include bipolar disorder, suicidal tendencies, depression and substance use disorder.
She said as a child, he was on medication and this kept him on the right path, but as he got older, she said he made his own choices.
“Once he became an adult, and he didn’t have to take his medications, he got himself in more trouble and unfortunately ended up in prison, which is not only hard for him but it is really hard for our family,” said Tresa Hewlett.
She said his mental health has been declining since the prison went into lockdown in March 2023
During the lockdown period, prisoners did not have access to educational services, recreation and rehabilitation programing.
She said over the past year-and-a-half, Damien Hewlett has tried to kill himself three times.
“It is terrifying whenever I read it on Facebook or see that there has been another death at Waupun. My first thought is my son,” said Tresa Hewlett. “Only way I am ever going to know it is him is if I don’t get that call.”
Since the lockdown period, four people died. Two of those deaths resulted from drug overdoses and another was ruled a suicide.
Over a phone call with Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin, Damien Hewlett explained the current conditions in the prison.
“I haven’t had an in-person visit since March of 2023 and I have lost loved ones between that time and now,” said Damien Hewlett. “Who I wish so badly that I could have seen before they left this life for the next.”
When the lockdown first started, he said he was only getting out of his cell once a day.
Since March 2023, he said things have improved but he said he is still struggling with his mental health.
“I am not proud of this and a bit ashamed, but due to the cruel circumstances I have been subjected to here, I have broken mentally and psychologically more than once and have attempted to take my life in the past,” said Damien Hewlett.
Tresa Hewlett said she understands what Damien Hewlett did was wrong and believes he needs to pay for what he did.
She said he is still a human being and believes he should be treated like one.
“No, I am not saying to put him in a luxury hotel with a swimming pool and serve him hot meals and snacks all day,” said Tresa Hewlett. “I am saying treat him like a human, like there is someone out here that loves him.
“I am his mom; I love him,” she continues. “I don’t want him to be beaten and tortured. I want him to do his time for his crime, but I don’t want him to suffer.”
On Tuesday May 28, WCI warden Randall Hepp announced he would be stepping down on June 28. On Wednesday, Hepp was charged with misconduct in public office, Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt said at a news conference. He had a court appearance the same day, as did eight staff members who face felony charges of inmate abuse.
“A little over two weeks ago I informed the leadership of the Department of Corrections of my intention to retire from state service with a last day of work being June 28, 2024. This decision, which was not easy, comes at a time that that I believe serves the institution well,” Hepp said in an email sent to staff at WCI.
“Warden Hepp has led Waupun Correctional Institution through modified movement — making changes that enhance safety while creating opportunities for the persons in our care to learn and rehabilitate,” Department of Corrections secretary Jared Hoy said. “I’m grateful to Warden Hepp for his 40 years of service to the state of Wisconsin and wish him the best on his well-deserved retirement.”
This comes as the prison remains in modified movement status.
WCI remains the subject of a federal investigation and following four inmate deaths.
In an email sent to Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin by the Department of Corrections, it was confirmed that WCI deputy warden Bradley Mlodzik is being promoted to warden upon Hepp’s retirement.
While some believe a new warden will bring positive change to the prison, Tresa Hewlett does not feel confident this will change the conditions at the prison.
“I don’t really know how I feel about it,” said Tresa Hewlett. “I heard they hired someone that worked with the prison already, so I don’t believe it will make much of a change.”