Two staff members killed at the Anamosa State Penitentiary are being identified.
The Iowa Department of Corrections says 50-year old nurse Lorena Schulte and 46-year old Officer Robert McFarland were the victims in Tuesday's attack.
"Two public servants were taken from this world," said Beth Skinner, Corrections Director with the Iowa Department of Corrections. "By an act that I can only describe as pure evil."
Inmates Thomas Woodard and Michael Dutcher are accused of killing the staffers with hammers during an escape attempt. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is still investigating this case, but have already filed charges against both inmates.
"Both individuals have been charged with first-degree murder, two counts," said Special Agent Robert Rahn with the Iowa D.C.I. "One count of attempted murder, and one count of kidnapping, second-degree."
The inmates were able to check out hammers and a metal grinder for the escape from the prison tool shop.