(Radio Iowa) – The union that represents employees in Iowa prisons says it’s time for the governor to respond to a disturbing trend.
AFSCME Council 61 president Todd Copley says union members report there have been at least 150 assaults on prison staff since January. Copley says an inmate at the prison in Fort Madison assaulted two prison guards last week, leaving one guard with broken bones in his face. Copley says correctional officers are fearful of retaliation if they raise security concerns.
A spokesman for the governor says Governor Reynolds knows correctional officers work in a hostile environment and that’s why she’s worked to increase staff and improve safety and security at the facilities. The director of the state’s prison system says she has an open door policy and is eager to listen to the concerns of staff.
