Walker: Lincoln Hills Workers Found To Have Violated Civil Rights Laws Should Be Punished

Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday that if any workers at the Lincoln Hills or Copper Lake schools for juveniles violated federal civil rights laws, the employees should be punished.

Federal agents looking into staff abuse of youths at the schools in northern Wisconsin say they’re probing to determine whether there was a pattern of civil rights violations. A grand jury is also looking into the case. Walker said the newly appointed leaders of the state Corrections Department are requiring cooperation with the federal investigation.

“And obviously, as I’ve said many many times before, if someone violated the rules or law they should be prosecuted and held accountable,” said Walker.

Federal officials say it’s possible that former Corrections Secretary Ed Wall could be called to testify before the grand jury.

If there is a broader federal probe of the schools, the state could try to reach an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department or enter into a court-supervised plan called a consent decree.