DCI investigating alleged criminal misconduct of Oakdale prison employee

CORALVILLE - The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation announced Wednesday an investigation at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center is linked to allegations of criminal misconduct involving an employee.

The Gazette reported May 25 a supervisor at the Coralville facility had been put on paid leave as part of a DCI probe initiated by the Iowa Department of Corrections. Officials would not say at that time what it involved.

A two-sentence news release Wednesday from the DCI said the investigation involves allegations of criminal misconduct by a prison employee, but does not elaborate.

Text of the release:

'On May 11, 2016, the Iowa Department of Public Safety's (DPS) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was requested to assist the Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) with an investigation of allegations of criminal misconduct involving an employee with the IDOC at Oakdale Iowa Medical Classifications Center (IMCC). No further information can be released at this time.”

Department of Corrections spokesman Fred Scaletta confirmed May 25 that one prison employee was put on leave.

Danny Homan, president of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Local 61, said correctional officers who work at IMCC told him an administrator was prohibited from entering the facility during an investigation.

'He is a management person who's been locked out,” Homan said at the time.

IMCC, with 909 inmates, is the first stop for all male offenders entering prison in Iowa. The prison, also known as Oakdale, has an inpatient mental health unit and cares for special needs offenders.