Governor backs Newton prison over descrimination claim

Governor Tom Vilsack says he doubts Spanish-speaking inmates at the state prison in Newton have a strong discrimination case against the state.Vilsack says he’d be surprised if the allegations are true.In a weekend story in the Des Moines Register, federal prison inmates alleged they suffer disciplinary action because they’re given orders in English though they speak only Spanish. The Warden at the Newton prison says there just isn’t the money to train guards to speak Spanish. Warden Terry Mapes says the lack of Spanish-speaking staff is a concern he hopes to address in the future.Mapes says the current state budget crunch doesn’t leave much room to pay for anything beyond the basics of feeding the prisoners, paying the guards and keeping the prison operating.Mapes says he’s encouraged the Mexican consulate members to stay involved with the inmates.