Staff need the tools to do their job and safer staffing levels
Director Jerry Bartruff
Dear AFSCME members and friends,
Recently, there was a fight at the the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women. Four staff members were injured; two of them were injured so seriously they had to seek medical treatment outside the facility. Unlike staff at almost every other state prison, Iowa Correctional Institution for Women (ICIW) staff are not issued pepper spray to carry on their person while working. Staff are expected to always use brute force when an inmate becomes violent. This is less safe for everyone – both staff and inmates. Furthermore, dangerously low staffing levels throughout Iowa’s correctional system and community based corrections endangers staff, inmates, and the public.
We need to speak up for safety and make our voices heard!
Please join us in signing the petition below to Iowa Department of Corrections Director Jerry Bartruff calling for ICIW staff to be issued pepper spray to carry on their person and for staffing in Iowa's correctional system and community based corrections to be increased. Please make sure to use personal contact information only and to sign the petition from a personal phone/computer during non-work hours from outside of work.
In Solidarity,
Danny Homan, President
AFSCME Iowa Council 61
Sponsored by
To:
Director Jerry Bartruff
From:
[Your Name]
Unlike staff at almost every other state prison, Iowa Correctional Institution for Women (ICIW) staff are not issued pepper spray to carry on their person while working. Staff are expected to always use brute force when an inmate becomes violent. This is less safe for everyone – both staff and inmates. A recent fight at the ICIW dining hall resulted in injuries to four staff, two of whom had injuries so serious they had to seek medical treatment outside the facility.
Furthermore, dangerously low staffing levels throughout Iowa’s correctional system and community based corrections endangers staff, inmates, and the public.
We, the signers of this petition:
1) Call for staff at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women to be issued OC (pepper spray) to carry on their person.
2) Call for an increase in staffing throughout Iowa’s correctional system and community based corrections.