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Schimel: No Charges Planned In Alleged Youth Prison Abuse Cases

Attorney General Says State Will Allow FBI To Complete Its Investigation

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Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake youth prisons
Gilman Halsted/WPR

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said Tuesday his office has no current plans to file charges in cases of alleged inmate abuse at the Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake youth prisons.

Schimel said earlier this week the state has the power to file charges but, on Tuesday, he said his office has no filings in the works.

The attorney general said his office will sit back and let the FBI continue its investigation of the facilities, where there have been alleged incidents of child neglect and sexual assault.

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“We’re not aware of any ongoing allegations of abuse,” Schimel said. “So that’s a positive and that leaves me not feeling great time pressure on this.”

The FBI took over the state’s investigation of Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake about nine months ago. Schimel said his office will step in and provide assistance if necessary.

As for now, he said he’s not sure where the FBI is at in its investigation.