No plans to replace Anamosa prison at this time, Iowa corrections officials said

The Iowa Department of Corrections on Dec. 20 released a summary of findings from a seven-month security review sparked by the March 23 murders of two employees at the Anamosa State Penitentiary.

Offenders Michael Dutcher and Thomas Woodard both were convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for fatally striking correctional Officer Robert McFarland and nurse Lorena Schulte in the head with prison-issued hammers. The offenders took another employee hostage briefly and seriously wounded another inmate.

A brief summary of the reports was released to the public, but the full 134-page report by CGL Companies, of Florida, was not. The Gazette asked some follow-up questions to learn more.

Q: There was no mention of Iowa prison facilities in the summary. Did the consultant make recommendations about the prison buildings?

A: “CGL did address each facility in their review,” Iowa Department of Corrections spokesman Nick Crawford said in an email. “Per Iowa Code section 904.602 (10) I am unable to provide that information.”

That part of Iowa law he cited says records that “may jeopardize the secure operation of a correctional institution operation or program are confidential unless otherwise ordered by a court.”

Confidential records could include procedures on “inmate movement and control, staffing patterns and regulations, emergency plans, internal investigations, equipment use and security, building plans, operation, and security, security procedures for inmate, staff, and visits, daily operation records, and contraband and medicine control,” the law states.

Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/no-plans-to-replace-anamosa-prison-at-this-time-iowa-corrections-officials-said/
(Cedar Rapids Gazette)