Corey Proulx, a 49-year-old youth counselor at Lincoln Hills School for Boys in Wisconsin, died following an alleged assault by 16-year-old inmate Javarius Hurd and 17-year-old inmate Rian Nyblom. The June 24, 2024 incident has raised concerns about safety and conditions within the state’s juvenile correctional facilities.
According to the criminal complaint, Hurd first attacked a female staff member, throwing liquid soap at her and punching her in the face. This left the woman with serious injuries. Hurd then encountered Proulx in the facility’s courtyard, where he allegedly punched him twice, causing Proulx to fall and hit his head on the pavement.
Proulx was airlifted to Aspirus Wausau Hospital, but he was declared brain-dead by the Lincoln County Coroner on June 25. He succumbed to his injuries later that day. The female staff member was treated at Aspirus Merrill Hospital and later released.
Javarius Hurd has been charged as an adult with second-degree reckless homicide, felony murder – battery with special circumstances, and battery by prisoners. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 58 years in prison and $120,000 in fines. Hurd reportedly told detectives that his aggression towards the female staff member stemmed from his belief that she was abusing her power and treating him unfairly.
On Thursday, June 27, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office reported the arrest of the second inmate, Nyblom, regarding the incident. Court records indicate Nyblom faces charges of felony murder-battery with special circumstances, party to a crime, and two felony counts of battery by prisoners as a party to a crime.
Nyblom was housed in the same unit as Hurd when the incident with Proulx occurred, as stated by the Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office reported that Nyblom was detained in Lincoln County Jail with a cash bond set at $20,000. He is slated to join a telephone scheduling conference on Thursday, July 11.
The news of Proulx’s death has deeply affected those who knew him. “It is with tremendous sadness and regret that I announce the loss of a dedicated professional, colleague, and friend in the line of duty,” said Jared Hoy, Department of Corrections secretary. “A career in corrections, with its dual mission to protect the public and guide individuals toward rehabilitation, can be demanding and requires so many sacrifices for our staff and our families, and Corey made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Lincoln Hills School Superintendent Klint Trevino said, “Corey was a dedicated and compassionate member of our team, always striving to impact the lives of the young individuals we serve positively. His commitment to our mission was unwavering, and he will be deeply missed by all of us.”
Proulx’s fiancée and daughter described him as “an amazing partner, father, son, and human being.” His death has left a void in their lives and the community he served.
The Lincoln Hills School for Boys, administered through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and the Division of Juvenile Corrections, has faced scrutiny and criticism over the years for incidents of staff-on-inmate abuse and other issues.
This event highlights ongoing concerns about safety and staffing within Wisconsin’s juvenile correctional facilities. Lincoln Hills has been under court-appointed monitoring due to previous allegations of abuse and mistreatment. The facility has also been grappling with a chronic shortage of guards, with a vacancy rate of around 12% reported earlier this month.
The state’s prison system has also been dealing with broader issues of misconduct and abuse. Just over two weeks before Proulx’s death, prosecutors charged the warden and eight staff members of the Waupun Correctional Institution with various felonies related to the deaths of two inmates. This incident adds to the growing list of challenges facing the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.