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Wisconsin corrections department accidentally released protected health information of 1,723 people

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Saturday, November 8th 2025 at 20:17 GMT by News 8000
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Wisconsin Corrections Department Releases Sensitive Health Records of Over 1,700 Inmates

In a startling privacy breach, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) accidentally exposed the protected health information (PHI) of 1,723 incarcerated individuals. The error, uncovered in late May, saw personal data—including names, dates of birth, addresses, race, gender, and detailed medical histories—posted publicly on a DOC server and subsequently shared on social media. The incident has ignited a flurry of questions about data security practices within state correctional facilities and the adequacy of oversight mechanisms meant to protect vulnerable populations.

The Leak Unveiled

On May 29, the DOC notified the Wisconsin Department of Justice that an internal data export had inadvertently been made accessible to the public. The export, intended for internal audit purposes, contained a spreadsheet with the PHI of every inmate who had received medical treatment within the last five years. A review of the DOC’s internal logs showed that the file was stored in a publicly accessible folder on the department’s SharePoint site, where it was accessible to anyone with a DOC network login. A whistleblower who accessed the folder on May 28 flagged the file’s visibility and alerted senior staff.

According to a statement from the DOC’s Office of the Secretary, “The file was inadvertently left in a public location and was not protected by the required encryption or password restrictions.” The department emphasized that no PHI was shared outside of DOC staff until the file was discovered, and no external parties have confirmed that the data was accessed by third parties.

Scope of the Breach

The leaked spreadsheet contained more than just basic demographic data. Each record listed an inmate’s full name, date of birth, race, gender, residential address, the institution of incarceration, date of admission, and a comprehensive list of diagnoses and medications. Some records also included notes on mental health status, substance use, and chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and HIV. In total, the DOC estimates that the breach covered 1,723 inmates across the state’s 10 correctional facilities.

An independent audit by the Wisconsin Office of the Inspector General confirmed that the data breach affected individuals ranging from juvenile offenders to long‑term inmates. “The breach exposed highly sensitive medical information, which could potentially lead to discrimination, stigma, or targeted attacks against the affected individuals once released back into the community,” the audit report warned.

Immediate Response

The DOC’s immediate response involved shutting down the public folder and purging the file from all internal servers. Senior officials also temporarily revoked all DOC user accounts with permissions to view the file, pending a full review. The department issued a formal apology on its website and in a letter to all affected inmates and their families, offering complimentary credit monitoring services through a third‑party provider.

In addition, the DOC announced that it had engaged a cybersecurity firm to conduct a full penetration test of its data handling processes. The audit will focus on the configuration of SharePoint sites, encryption standards, and user access protocols. “We are committed to preventing future incidents by tightening our data governance framework and ensuring that all PHI is handled in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Wisconsin Privacy Act,” a DOC spokesperson told reporters.

Legal and Regulatory Repercussions

The Wisconsin Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation into the breach. The AG’s legal team has requested all documentation related to the data export process, including access logs, permission settings, and audit trails. In a public statement, the AG’s office stressed that PHI leaks involving vulnerable populations are taken extremely seriously and that any negligence on the part of the DOC could result in civil or criminal penalties.

The breach also draws attention to broader compliance issues. While federal law mandates that PHI be protected under HIPAA, state corrections departments are also governed by Wisconsin’s Public Records Act and the Privacy Act, both of which require explicit safeguards for sensitive information. The audit by the Wisconsin Office of the Inspector General found that the DOC’s compliance with these state statutes was “inadequate” and called for an immediate overhaul of its data management policies.

Stakeholder Reactions

In the days following the leak, advocacy groups for prison reform and prisoner rights issued statements condemning the breach. The Wisconsin Prisoners’ Rights Coalition called for the DOC to implement “robust encryption and access controls” for all inmate health records and to “provide clear, accessible information to inmates about how their data is protected.” Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Council of Health Care Providers expressed concern that the leak could undermine trust in the DOC’s ability to manage medical information and highlighted the need for integrated health information systems that limit data exposure.

An internal memo, released through a FOIA request, revealed that a DOC investigator had previously warned the department in 2019 that the current data export procedures were “compliant with no known standard” and could “expose PHI to accidental disclosure.” Despite these warnings, no action was taken to revise protocols.

The Road Ahead

The DOC’s leadership has announced a multi‑phase remediation plan that includes:

1. Immediate hardening of SharePoint access controls to ensure that any future data exports are automatically routed to encrypted, password‑protected storage.
2. Mandatory encryption of all PHI at rest and in transit, leveraging industry‑standard AES‑256 protocols.
3. Enhanced staff training on data privacy, with mandatory annual certifications for all personnel handling inmate medical records.
4. Regular external audits by independent cybersecurity firms, with findings made public to maintain transparency.

The state legislature has also indicated that it may consider new legislation to impose stricter data security standards on correctional institutions. A draft bill is currently in committee, which would require DOCs to submit annual data security reports and would provide for substantial penalties for repeated breaches.

Conclusion

The accidental release of PHI from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections is a stark reminder of the fragility of data security in institutions that house some of society’s most vulnerable populations. While the DOC’s swift action to shut down the exposed data and engage external auditors is a positive step, the incident underscores a systemic failure in data governance and oversight. It remains to be seen how the DOC, the state government, and the legislature will respond to this crisis. In the meantime, affected inmates, their families, and the broader public await assurances that such a breach will never recur.