THE DEBATE OVER FUNDING IOWA’S PRISON SYSTEM IS CONTINUING IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN DES MOINES.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE PREPARING A BUDGET PLAN THAT WOULD PROVIDE NEARLY 20-AND-A-HALF MILLION MORE DOLLARS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.
DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE ROSS WILBURN OF AMES, SAYS 20 MILLION SEEMS LIKE A LOT, BUT IT DOESN’T ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THE SECURITY SITUATION EXPOSED BY THE MARCH 23RD ATTACKS AT THE ANAMOSA PRISON THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATHS OF TWO STAFF MEMBERS:
PRISON4 OC…..WOEFULLY UNDERFUNDED.” :03
REPUBLICAN GARY WORTHAN OF STORM LAKE DEFENDS THE PLAN AND SAYS THERE IS NO WAY TO ELIMINATE 100 PERCENT OF THE RISK OF WORKING IN A PRISON:
PRISON5 OC…….WAS NOT UNDERSTAFFED.” :22
DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS HALL OF SIOUX CITY SAYS THE ANAMOSA INCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR MORE STAFF AND BETTER SECURITY IN AN OVERCROWDED PRISON SYSTEM:
PRISON6 OC……..THE MIRROR FIRST.” :12
BACK IN JANUARY, GOVERNOR REYNOLDS RECOMMENDED A FIVE MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE IN THE STATE PRISON SYSTEM BUDGET, FOR SALARIES AND STAFFING.
LAST MONTH, SENATE REPUBLICANS SAID THEY HAD SETTLED ON A FOUR MILLION DOLLAR INCREASE.
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