UPDATE: The Iowa Department of Corrections reports the staffer at the Iowa State Penitentiary who was struck by an offender, is in stable condition at University Hospitals in Iowa City.
Officials are confirming two homemade weapons were used in the assault.
The Iowa Department of Corrections issued an updated statement this afternoon:
Iowa State Penitentiary continues to review and investigate this incident. Any incident of this nature is considered critical. Staff safety is the highest priority as the investigation into this matter continues. The Department will continue to attend to the needs of the injured officers of both today’s and the incident on Saturday and commends all responding staff for their prompt and excellent response to protect fellow officers and prevent any further harm.
(original story)
(Fort Madison, Iowa) A staffer at the Iowa State Penitentiary was taken to the hospital after being struck multiple times by an offender.
Corrections officials say a staffer was escorting an offender, who struck the staffer with a weapon. The staff member, along with other staff were able to subdue the offender, Kieth Pieper, who's serving a 45-year prison sentence, after being convicted in Jasper County for Habitual Offender.
The staffer was taken to Fort Madison Community Hospital, then transported to University Hospitals in Iowa City.
The labor union representing Iowa correctional officers has released a statement about the attack. Danny Homan, President of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 61, is accusing the Iowa Corrections Department and the Governor of mismanagement.
Homan's also calling the Warden and the Iowa State Penitentiary management "incompetent," saying security issues have been brought to their attention, but management have refused to provide a safe environment for staff or inmates.