Iowa State Penitentiary | facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10158598265480654&set=br.Abp1W27gopj21B2__2h-UxFrgaEE4hsDXs4UTV6qOIE8LvYEGThNUtt4gonBtnRDvZuiEBt-0fHd6mTlVfNkISeUjb_GR3WeCtEcXe9Ppk16bLtP3F8lDRYo2-7SsTqN0yxkGOT99F9XpKxx25ee1y-4
Iowa State Penitentiary | facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10158598265480654&set=br.Abp1W27gopj21B2__2h-UxFrgaEE4hsDXs4UTV6qOIE8LvYEGThNUtt4gonBtnRDvZuiEBt-0fHd6mTlVfNkISeUjb_GR3WeCtEcXe9Ppk16bLtP3F8lDRYo2-7SsTqN0yxkGOT99F9XpKxx25ee1y-4
Corrections officials at Fort Madison are still investigating a case where an inmate assaulted a guard earlier this month.
“On the evening of Friday, Jan. 7, a correctional officer was assaulted by an inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary,” the Iowa Department of Corrections said in a recent release.
The officer was taken to the local hospital, where he was checked then transferred to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for further evaluation and observation, the release said.
The assailant allegedly approached the guard at his post, then assaulted him. After other staff members restrained the inmate, the facility went to lockdown, where movement is restricted.
The attack is one of many in recent times as the Department of Corrections houses a higher number of inmates than it has room for. In December, 8,106 people were incarcerated at facilities with a capacity of 6,990, according to a Safety and Security Review from the department.
The state's Department of Corrections also is facing staff shortages. The department is seeking financial incentives in the form of higher pay and retention bonuses to help beef up staffing levels, according to the review.
Gov. Kim Reynolds acknowledged the concerns. During her Condition of the State address earlier this month, she announced that retention bonuses would be coming.
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