Gov. Scott Walker is asking the Department of Corrections to change its disciplinary policies after a prison supervisor received only a reprimand after he was convicted of drunken driving and possession of marijuana.
Walker told reporters Friday the lenient sanction imposed on Stanley prison supervisor Patrick Lynch is unacceptable.
“I don’t think that’s appropriate. I’ve instructed the Department of Corrections to change the policies and procedures, not just for this instance but going forward,” said Walker.
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
Troy Bauch, the union representative for state prison guards, said that under DOC Secretary Ed Wall, the department has consistently imposed more lenient sanctions on supervisors than on guards who break department rules. Bauch said that if Lynch were a guard, he would have been fired.
He said there’s no need for new policies: “All there is is a need to adhere to current policies and enforce them equally, regardless of the position of the employee. “
Bauch said the department’s failure to do that is one of many reasons the union is calling on Wall to resign.
A spokesperson for the DOC wrote in an email that “as a result of the issues concerning (the Patrick Lynch) case and at the direction of Governor Walker, the DOC will review our department’s current policies, to ensure serious work rule violation are raised to the awareness of the Secretary’s Office. “
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2024, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
