Walker Says He Takes Abuse Allegations At School For Young Offenders ‘Very Seriously’

Gov. Scott Walker said Monday that he’s taking allegations of abuse at a state school for young offenders seriously.

News reports say that state Justice Department agents raided the northern Wisconsin school over the weekend, amid allegations that school staff have used force against juveniles. Walker said he was briefed on the claims last week.

“I met with the attorney general, and with our support, the support of Department of Corrections, we had (Division of Criminal Investigation) agents go in to conduct an investigation of a broad group of employees,” he said. “The Department of Corrections has put a whole new staff in place, in terms of a division head, the superintendent, others involved.”

“We take this very seriously,” he added.

Walker said that his decision to shut youth correctional facilities at Delafield and Union Grove four years ago has no link to the current situation at the Irma facility. He said that those previous closures were budget-savings maneuvers.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of where the site is, as much as it is making sure the staff is operating under the training procedures they’ve been given and that there’s adequate supervision. And that’s part of what we’re looking into right now,” said Walker.

Meanwhile, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has said that union members who work at Lincoln Hills repeatedly raised issues about security at the school, and that those concerns went ignored by Corrections Department leaders.

The Corrections Department says the safety of juvenile inmates and staff at Lincoln Hills school is a top priority.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with more information regarding Walker’s position on previous secure school closures.