Judge rejects Republican demand to give Wisconsin juvenile corrections counselors more freedom in punishing inmates

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal judge has rejected Republican lawmakers' request to give counselors at Wisconsin's youth prison more leeway in controlling inmates after a counselor was killed in a brawl at the facility this summer. Lincoln Hills-Copper Lakes Schools has been subject to a federal settlement since 2018 that bans punitive detention, limits the use of mechanical restraints and prohibits pepper spray. Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Corrections Secretary Jared Hoy on Thursday urging him to ask U.S. District Judge James Peterson to reconsider the terms of the settlement. Peterson said in a letter Tuesday he will take no action unless someone files a formal request and can show the settlement fails to protect staff or inmates.