• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Crime / Courts / Union president: 16 inmates with makeshift weapons in fights that led to prison lockdown

Union president: 16 inmates with makeshift weapons in fights that led to prison lockdown

August 9, 2016 By O. Kay Henderson

Danny Homan (file photo)

Danny Homan (file photo)

The president of the union that represents prison guards has issued a public statement that reveals more details about a recent lock-down at the state’s maximum security prison.

AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan said working conditions at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison “are an outrage.” Homan said correctional officers “are truly and reasonably afraid for their safety.”

Homan’s written statement reveals the recent lockdown happened after “a series of fights” among about 16 inmates and those inmates had “makeshift weapons.”

Homan charged staffing levels “are so critically low that there are not enough bodies” to respond to emergencies. According to Homan, “at least 15 officers” from nearby prisons have been sent to Fort Madison in the past two weeks to deal with problems at the maximum security prison.

A spokesman for Governor Terry Branstad dismissed Homan’s assertions.

“The Vice Chair of the Democrat Party, Danny Homan, is only interested in taking cheap political partisan shots,” Ben Hammes, Branstad’s communications director, said in a written statement. “Gov. Branstad will keep his focus on the effective management of taxpayer resources at the Department of Corrections and the public safety of Iowans.”

A spokesman for the Iowa Department of Corrections issued a “no comment at this time” when asked to respond to Homan’s statements.

(This story was updated at 4:37 p.m. with additional information.)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Prisons

Featured Stories

Final employee who was there at the launch of the Iowa Lottery to retire

No more USPS mail in Iowa prisons; inmates to get copies of mail

State officials warn of influx of fake prescription drugs laced with fentanyl

‘Brain-eating amoeba’ discovered in Taylor County lake

Cedar Rapids therapist’s relationship with student leads to years in prison

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Hutchinson calls Iowa State a perfect fit

Northern Iowa’s Farley touts new practice facility

First minor league game gets things started tonight at Field of Dreams site

Knoxville set to host sprint car racing’s biggest event

Iowa State basketball builds on its identity

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2022 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC