(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A defense attorney publicly accused the Kenosha County Jail on Tuesday of failing to provide inmates with critical medications — the latest in a mounting series of allegations that Sheriff David Zoerner’s office is endangering those in its custody.
“The jail is doing absolutely nothing with people’s medications right now,” the attorney said during a bond hearing. “I can’t tell you how many calls we’ve been making to the department.”
The attorney cited a current client with serious heart conditions who reportedly hasn’t received his prescribed medication for at least two days.
“He had a heart attack this year. He has AFIB. He has numerous other heart conditions I can’t even pronounce,” the attorney said. “He hasn’t gotten any of his heart medication in the last two days. I don’t think the jail can properly take care of him right now.”
The attorney also told the court that Assistant State Public Defender Supervisor Kristyne Watson contacted Sheriff Zoerner directly after receiving a note from a doctor concerned about the man’s condition.
Warnings Ignored Since July
Kenosha County Eye first exposed this issue in a July 21 article, after receiving more than a year of complaints from inmates, their families, and defense attorneys. Multiple sources said inmates were being denied proper and timely access to life-sustaining medications — particularly for chronic and serious conditions.
When KCE contacted Sheriff Zoerner before publication, he denied there was any problem. After the July 21 article ran, Zoerner responded in an email:
“I don’t recall us discussing this, but I appreciate the email. I reached out to [the attorney who brought it up] as well as our detentions division. I will find out if there is an issue, as I do place a priority on the well-being of all of our inmates while in our custody and hope to be a factor in their continued success once released.”
KCE again reached out to Zoerner on Friday following the attorney’s remarks in court. As of publication, he has not responded.
Legal Exposure Mounts
The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office is currently facing two federal lawsuits over allegedly inadequate medical care in its jails. In Estate of Reighnn T. Post-McNab v. Zoerner, a 25-year-old inmate died after collapsing in his cell and receiving no medical attention for nearly 30 minutes. Surveillance footage captured the incident. The lawsuit claims that had correctional officers been actively monitoring cameras or following an effective observation policy, his life may have been saved.
In Carr v. Zoerner, a separate plaintiff also alleges substandard medical care while in custody. Both cases are pending in U.S. District Court.
With attorneys now making direct accusations in court — and prior complaints continuing to go unanswered — legal observers warn that the county’s exposure to further litigation is only growing.
“They’ve been warned, repeatedly,” one attorney told KCE. “If this continues, it’s not just a moral failure — it’s a legal disaster waiting to happen.”
Kenosha County Eye will continue reporting on this ongoing situation and will update the public if Sheriff Zoerner responds.
14 Responses
I know, don’t go to jail if you have serious medical conditions. Why do the taxpayers have to foot the bill?
Maybe it would be better if we just killed all of them instead of locking them up. That would solve the problem.
I agree. Or, they work in jail (make license plates) to pay for the meds. I don’t want to foot the bill for this trash.
The law makes the sheriff responsible for the medical care of prisoners in his custody.
Taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for Ozempic for inmates while they are in jail.
What losers would downvote this? How about you pay for all the meds then
Fat felons
The sheriff appears more focused on pleasing friends, granting them raises, promotions, and showboating in expensive vehicles while kissing the
asses of other politicians. His priorities are misplaced rather than supporting corrections staff and ensuring the jail system is properly maintained, much of the budget is spent on “new toys” and unnecessary overhead. Meanwhile, the people doing the actual grunt work are left overworked, understaffed, and underappreciated.
When budget cuts are considered, leadership consistently looks to the bottom instead of addressing waste at the top. To make matters worse, office staff often receive “title changes” or meaningless promotions that conveniently come with raises, not because of merit, but due to favoritism and personal connections. This creates a culture where loyalty to individuals outweighs professional standards, leaving frontline staff and the community shortchanged.
I think an outside comprehensive study of the sheriff’s department is long overdue. It seems as if sheriffs get a blank check from the county board. At one time the roads, which were much more deadly decades ago, were patrolled in station wagons that doubled as ambulances. Now we see expensive gas guzzling pickup trucks. Changing uniforms, emblems, patches, etc. We don’t see much fiscal restraint. It may be there but not very visible. And being involved in lawsuits, even if the county wins, still costs taxpayer dollars.
The sheriff’s department provides law enforcement services for 28% of the county’s population plus specific duties related to courts, jail and intergovernmental assistance. It’s important but not beyond scrutiny.
Typical republican tough guy.
They should only be allowed to have lifesaving meds in jail: diabetes meds, heart meds, asthma meds and that’s it. Those losers don’t need ozempic.
Zoerner is not capable of being the Sheriff! Step down Zoerner and let someone that cares and is capable of doing the job,
I think that Eric Klinkhammer would be the man for the Job. Eric has been outstanding and is very capable of being a great leader.
He is a no BS guy and very fair person and follows through with is Responsibilities.
We have a great police chief for KPD , He has done so much good within the dept and has worked out the bad seeds and is working hard for his men in blue .
He has shown that he cares about are town and shows that daily. The man is in uniform daily in the streets beside his men and making it Great Again !!!!
Zoerner = RINO / SINO
SINO (Sheriff in name only)
Dave wanted so much to be elected sheriff as one of many who had grievances with the prior sheriff. Getting elected is one thing. Doing the job is another. I don’t think he’s done a terrible job but perhaps needs to tone down his approach a bit and show more of a servant’s heart (as well as eye toward helping taxpayers).