New warden named for Mitchellville prison

DES MOINES – Iowa corrections officials announced Friday that Patti Wachtendorf has been named warden of the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville.

Wachtendorf previously served as deputy warden and has served as acting warden since March. She succeeds Diann Wilder-Tomlinson, who now serves as deputy director of the Iowa Department of Corrections.

Wachtendorf began her career with the department in 1983 at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison and has held a variety of positions through the state correctional system.

“Her qualifications will be essential in addressing the current and increasing challenges related to the program and treatment needs of offenders as they are trained and prepared for successful reentry back to society,” said a statement from the department announcing Wachtendorf's appointment.