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Union says two correctional officers at Iowa State Penitentiary ‘violently attacked’
At least one officer was taken to hospital, union says in statement
Sep. 24, 2024 3:47 pm, Updated: Sep. 24, 2024 4:58 pm
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Union officials reported Tuesday that two correctional officers at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison were “violently attacked by an inmate during a routine procedure” on Monday.
According to a news release from American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 61, the public union that represents prison employees, said at least one of the officers was taken to a hospital. The officers were not named in the release.
“These assaults are not isolated but represent a growing trend of violence in the state’s correctional facilities,” the union stated.
“Our correctional officers across the state of Iowa are being asked to work under dangerous, understaffed and under-resourced conditions, and we’re not seeing the leadership we need from the Governor’s office to address these issues,” AFSCME Council 61 President Todd Copley said in a statement.
Paul Cornelius, chief of staff with the Iowa Department of Corrections, told The Gazette Tuesday the department was made aware of AFSCME statement.
“While we don't comment on open investigations, the safety of our correctional officers and inmates is of top importance,” Cornelius said in an emailed statement. “We are committed to implementing best practices in security, training and compliance to create an environment where all individuals can feel safe.”
His statement said that includes:
- Comprehensive training: All correctional staff undergo extensive training that equips them to handle challenging situations, de-escalate conflicts and ensure the safety of themselves and inmates in their care.
- Compliance office: This consists of regular security checks, security audits of each prison and vulnerability assessments.
- Enhanced security measures: “We continuously assess and upgrade our security protocols, including surveillance technology and staffing levels, to effectively manage risks within our facilities.”
At another one of Iowa’s nine state prisons, the Anamosa State Penitentiary, correctional officer Robert McFarland and prison nurse Lorena Schulte were bludgeoned to death in 2021 by two inmates, Michael Dutcher and Thomas Woodard. The two armed themselves with metal hammers in a failed escape attempt.
Both of the victims’ families are suing the state and department employees for negligence and wrongful death in Jones County District Court.
The union and state employees have called for immediate action — citing lack of staffing, inadequate safety protocols and insufficient resources “as key factors contributing to the rising violence in state prisons,” union officials said in the statement.
The union also included a “Call to Action” for Iowans to call on Gov. Kim Reynolds to take “immediate steps to address this growing crisis.” Without action, assaults and potential fatalities are “inevitable,” officials said.
Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com
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