DES MOINES, Iowa — Union leaders are calling for security upgrades at the state's correctional facilities following two alleged attacks on Iowa State Penitentiary guards.
AFSCME Council 61 held a press conference Thursday at the state's Capitol asking Gov. Kim Reynolds and lawmakers to enhance protections for correctional officers in prisons across Iowa. The union claims two guards were assaulted on Sept. 23. The prison has neither confirmed nor denied the incidents.
"They deserve safe working conditions," Copley said. "They deserve to be heard, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Most importantly, they deserve to know that when they go to work, they will come home safely to their families."
Iowa House Rep. Jeff Cooling, D-Cedar Rapids, said just by having more people on the job, security would increase.
"This means hiring more staff, provide better training and implement stronger safety measures to protect those who risk their lives daily in service to our state," Cooling said.
A spokesperson for the governor responded to the press conference and said, "Gov. Reynolds knows Iowa's correctional officers work in an inherently hostile environment. It is why she has worked diligently with the Iowa Department of Corrections to improve safety and security at our state prisons."
The Iowa Department of Corrections also released a statement saying, "Director Skinner met with union leadership last month to further discuss ongoing initiatives such as training, enhanced security measures, and gathering feedback on various operational matters."
AFSCME said the improvements should be seen as a priority in lawmakers' eyes before another incident puts officers at risk.
"Please do something before it's too late. Do better," Copley said.
Copley claimed there have been at least 150 assaults on prison staff since January. But the Iowa Department of Corrections said over the past 10 years, the number of serious assaults has consistently declined.
This is a problem prison unions on both sides of the river have raised concerns over. FCI Thomson, a federal prison in Illinois, was recently cited in a bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate meant to reduce sexual abuse faced by prison staff.