Crowley mum about ouster of House of Correction head
Milwaukee County House of Correction Superintendent Michael Hafemann resigned in recent weeks at the request of County Executive David Crowley — and Crowley’s office won’t answer questions about his departure.
“Pursuant to our conversation on Tuesday, 5-26-2020, I herein submit my resignation as requested as the Superintendent of the Milwaukee County House of Correction; this resignation is effective and my last day with Milwaukee County will be June 1,” Hafemann wrote in his brief resignation letter dated May 28 and addressed to Crowley.
Crowley’s office would not answer questions about Hafemann’s departure, which is taking place as the county works to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, his office issued a statement saying Crowley hoped to bring in his own staff to help achieve the reforms he has committed to.
“We appreciate Superintendent Hafemann’s service on behalf of Milwaukee County and wish him well in his future pursuits. As we chart a new path towards justice reform we will conduct a national search for a leader who will assist Milwaukee County in bringing our vision of restorative justice to fruition,” the statement says.
County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson said via text message that she didn’t have any comment on Hafemann’s resignation, saying she didn’t know specifics other than “these are natural outcomes of a transition” and that the county has an opportunity to reimagine the House of Correction.
Supervisor Anthony Staskunas, who chairs the Judiciary, Safety and General Services Committee that Hafemann had recently appeared before, said Thursday that he didn’t have any information about the resignation. He said he was surprised by the abruptness with which Hafemann left. The short timeline implied to him that it was not a planned transition, he said.
He said he had not heard of any concerns with Hafemann.
Assistant Superintendent Jose Hernandez introduced himself to Staskunas’ committee last week as the interim superintendent.
Calls and a text message to a phone
number listed as belonging to Hafemann were not returned.
Former Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, Crowley’s predecessor, appointed Hafemann to the post in 2013 when the Franklin complex was transferred from the control of former Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr.
Hafemann reinstituted programming that Clarke had done away with and got rid of Nutraloaf, described as a mix of vegetables and beans that Clarke fed to inmates who got out of line, the Journal Sentinel reported at the time.
Hafemann’s annual salary was $108,234.
His retirement benefit has not been calculated because he has not reached retirement age of 64 and is therefore not yet eligible to receive pension benefits. Hafemann is 63.
The House of Correction houses people serving misdemeanor sentences shorter than a year and some state inmates under a contract with the state Department of Corrections.
Officials have significantly reduced the facility’s population in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The virus can spread quickly in confined areas such as prisons and jails.