Wisconsin Prisons to Enhance Support for Hearing-Impaired Inmates Following DOJ Settlement
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections will provide necessary aids and services, including sign language interpreters and hearing aids, to ensure equal access for hearing-impaired inmates.
- The settlement with the DOJ requires the Wisconsin DOC to offer sign language interpreters, video telephones, and hearing aids to hearing-impaired inmates.
- Corrections policies will be modified to accommodate hearing-impaired inmates, including handcuffing them in front to allow for signing and extending phone call times when interpreters are used.
- The DOC will implement a process to identify hearing-impaired inmates upon intake and provide ADA training to staff.
- Three inmates will receive $15,000 each as part of the settlement for the lack of appropriate accommodations.
- The agreement comes amid broader scrutiny of Wisconsin's prison system, which has faced multiple inmate deaths and misconduct charges.
The Canadian Press 
The Seattle Times 
Associated Press 
U.S. Department of Justice 