Democrat lawmakers tour Anamosa prison, blame Republicans for attack
Unmute
ANAMOSA, Iowa (KWWL) Since a nurse and a corrections officer were killed by inmates at the Anamosa State Penitentiary, the facility and Iowa s prison system has been under scrutiny.
On Friday morning, several democrat lawmakers toured the prison. Sen. Zach Wahls (D), District 37, Rep. Marti Anderson (D), District 36, Rep. Eric Gjerde (D), District 67 and Sen. Todd Taylor (D), District 35 spoke with reporters after their tour.
Union president Danny Homan joined them outside, where he and the politicians took aim at the Department of Corrections, Governor Reynolds and their republican colleagues.
Three of Iowa’s top Democrats are requesting a federal probe into the state’s prison system in response to the killings of two Anamosa State Penitentiary employees.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds and state officials, through the state s bidding process, formally requested an outside review of safety and security at the Iowa Department of Corrections. The request should be publicly posted Wednesday, according to the governor s office.
The inquiries come about a month after correctional officer Robert MacFarland and prison nurse Lorena Schulte were allegedly killed by two prisoners during a failed escape attempt on March 23. A third employee, Lorie Matthes, was held against her will for a short period, and an inmate, McKinley Roby, was injured trying to help the employees.
Workplace conditions at the Iowa Capitol may expose workers to COVID-19 hazards, according to a letter the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration sent to legislative leaders last week.
While Iowa OSHA found those COVID-19 concerns do not constitute a violation of Iowa code, OSHA administrator Russell Perry urged legislative leaders in the letter to please facilitate immediate corrective actions where needed.
The agency also issued citations for one serious violation and four other-than-serious violations related to other hazards at the building. Those violations carry more than $10,000 in fines.
Labor leaders, who had filed the initial complaint with OSHA in January, pointed to the letter on Monday as evidence that the conditions at the Capitol are not safe.
Iowa Capitol conditions may expose workers to COVID-19 hazards, OSHA says Ian Richardson and Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register
Gov. Reynolds, again, asks Iowans to get vaccinated for COVID-19
Replay Video UP NEXT
Workplace conditions at the Iowa Capitol may expose workers to COVID-19 hazards, according to a letter the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration sent to legislative leaders last week.
While Iowa OSHA found those COVID-19 concerns do not constitute a violation of Iowa code, OSHA administrator Russell Perry urged legislative leaders in the letter to please facilitate immediate corrective actions where needed.
The agency also issued citations for one serious violation and four other-than-serious violations related to other hazards at the building. Those violations carry more than $10,000 in fines.
Democrats call for federal probe into Iowa Department of Corrections after Anamosa killings Daniel Lathrop, Des Moines Register
Watch: What happened at the Anamosa State Prison? UP NEXT
Three of Iowa’s top Democrats are requesting a federal probe into the state’s prison system in response to the killings of two Anamosa State Penitentiary employees.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds and state officials, through the state s bidding process, formally requested an outside review of safety and security at the Iowa Department of Corrections. The request should be publicly posted Wednesday, according to the governor s office.
The inquiries come about a month after correctional officer Robert MacFarland and prison nurse Lorena Schulte were allegedly killed by two prisoners during a failed escape attempt on March 23. A third employee, Lorie Matthes, was held against her will for a short period, and an inmate, McKinley Roby, was injured trying to help t