IOWA – Iowa Democrats are asking for a federal investigation into the recent killings at the Anamosa State prison.
Congresswoman Cindy Axne signed a letter with the Democratic leaders in the Iowa House and Senate (House Minority Leader Todd Prichard and Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls) to the U.S. Attorney General asking for the probe.
The letter says Governor Reynolds and the Department of Corrections ignored warning signs at the prison such as rising violence, overcrowding, staff reductions and budget cuts.
Reynolds has already announced a separate investigation after two Anamosa prison workers were killed by inmates during an escape attempt last month.
Last year, the Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined the department nearly $20,000 for workplace safety violations at the Anamosa State Penitentiary.
Iowa OSHA said the prison didn’t have reliable radios and failed to follow its own emergency response plan.
The Corrections Department is contesting the citations and hearings are scheduled in July.