Iowa Lawmakers Considering More Money For Prisons After Killing of Workers

IOWA - Iowa lawmakers are looking to boost funding for the Department of Corrections after two prison workers were killed last week.

Senate Republicans say they've already pegged a $4 million increase in their budget plans, while Democrats say they want quick, bipartisan action.

House Speaker Pat Grassley has also suggested more money will be coming for prisons.

“Obviously, we had a terrible situation happen at the prison,” said Grassley. “I think you were going to see a strong number in our budget, but I think it just further strengthens our option that was the right decision that we were working off of.”

A nurse and a guard were killed during an escape attempt last week at the Anamosa state prison.

The union for Iowa prison workers says understaffing has been a chronic problem.

KCRG-TV reports funding at the Anamosa State Penitentiary has grown by around 2.7 percent over the past eight years, while the budget for the Department of Corrections has increased around 9.3 percent over the same time period.

The state's overall budget has grown by almost 23 percent in the past eight years.

KCRG quoted the Governor's Office as asking for $5 million more for prison staff in January.


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