DES MOINES, Iowa - There's more money headed to Iowa prisons after two workers were killed this year during an escape attempt.
Lawmakers have agreed to boost prison funding by $20 million to address staffing shortages and malfunctioning equipment.
Governor Kim Reynolds is expected to sign off on the increase, which is the largest boost to the state Department of Corrections in years, although Democrats and the prison workers union wanted more money. Democrats had asked for an additional $35 million.
Lawmakers are also close to agreement on making extended health care coverage for families of prison staff killed on the job a state policy.
An amendment introduced by Democrats to establish the coverage passed the House unanimously Tuesday night, and was awaiting approval in the Senate.
Two Anamosa prison employees were beaten to death by two inmates who’ve both been charged with their murders. Malfunctioning radios and a shortage of personnel have been blamed for the incident.
State lawmakers are in the process of wrapping up this year's legislative session with the passage of a series of budget bills - including for the Department of Corrections - that must be in place before they adjourn.
The session will likely wrap up in the next day or so as lawmakers are working into their third week in overtime since the set date of April 30th for adjournment.