Branstad appoints new Department of Corrections director

DES MOINES - Iowa has a new head of the state's corrections system.

Gov. Terry Branstad on Thursday appointed Jerry Bartruff to serve as acting director of the Iowa Department of Corrections, replacing John Baldwin, who retired as DOC leader after more than 42 years of service to state government. Bartruff's appointment is effective on Friday.

'For over 40 years, John Baldwin has served the citizens of Iowa,” Branstad said in a statement. 'Throughout his tenure, John has provided exemplary leadership and I've been particularly impressed recently with the department's work to both reduce prison population and recidivism.

'I'm pleased the department has Jerry Bartruff, a very capable professional, during this time of transition,” the governor added.

Bartruff, a graduate of Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, has worked at the Department of Corrections since 1982, serving in the central office since 2007. He currently is the department's deputy director of operations for the Eastern Region with responsibilities for administering and overseeing the institutional operations of the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison, Anamosa State Penitentiary, Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale and the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility.