State and local officials gathered in Mitchellville today for the groundbreaking on a new state prison for women. Patti Wachtendorf, the warden of the Iowa Corrections Institution for Women, says the new facility will be the "premiere" women's prison in the country when it's done. "Honestly, … [Read more...]
Grassley seeks ban on cell phones in federal prisons
Hundreds of cellular phones are being seized every year from inside America's federal prisons. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says while there are already rules against smuggling cell phones to inmates, those rules apparently aren't being enforced, and convicts are continuing their lives of crime … [Read more...]
Clemons man to spend 15 years in federal prison
A 52-year-old man who was living in the small, central Iowa town of Clemons has been sentenced to 15 years in a federal prison on child pornography charges. Last October, an undercover cop received child porn from Ralph Edwin Johnson over the Internet. It was part of a national sting operation. … [Read more...]
Lamoni man gets 10 years in prison for "sexually-explicit chats"
A southwest Iowa man has been sentenced to 10 years in a federal prison on sex-related charges. Forty-five-year-old Robert Kevin Woodard of Lamoni pleaded guilty in March to a charge of "enticement of a minor for sex." He was sentenced this week. Authorities say back in 2007 -- from the end … [Read more...]
Two go to prison for racially-charged fight in Muscatine
Prosecutors report a hate crime case in Muscatine is progressing, with two former Kansans being sent to a federal prison for their role in a bar fight. The case dates back to December of 2007. Three men and a woman were accused of getting involved in two different fights with two black men … [Read more...]
New superintendent for southeast Iowa prison
The Board of Corrections is scheduled to appoint a new superintendent for a prison facility in southeast Iowa tomorrow. Pending the board's approval, Ron Mullen will become the new superintendent of the Mount Pleasant Correctional and Mental Health Facilities. He would succeed the prison's current … [Read more...]
Sex offender to be released from prison, but movements will be monitored
A 50-year-old man imprisoned on a sex abuse charge will get an early release from prison, but state officials say he'll have to wear an electronic bracelet on his ankle so his movements can be monitored. Michael McGill was arrested at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines last April for grabbing a … [Read more...]
Governor to unveil budget plan this week
Later this week Governor Chet Culver will reveal his plan for state spending for the next budgeting year, which starts July 1st. Legislative leaders of both parties expect Culver's proposal to include some deep cuts, given the recent downturn in the economy and the corresponding downturn in state … [Read more...]
2008 Iowa Legislature adjourns for the year
The 2008 Iowa legislative session concluded early Saturday. The Senate adjourned at 2:32 a.m. and the House followed nine minutes later. One of the final acts of the House was to reject a Senate-led bid to assist Iowans who believe they've been denied access to public information, or who … [Read more...]
2008 Iowa Legislature nears conclusion
Today appears to be the final day of the 2008 Iowa legislative session. Debate is brief as the final bills that outline much of the next state budget make their way through the Iowa House and Senate. At about 11:30 Thursday night, Senator Matt McCoy, a Democrat from Des Moines, made this observation … [Read more...]