July 14, 2017
Mr. Doug Shull, Chairman
Warren County Board of Supervisors
301 N. Buxton, Suite 202
Indianola, Iowa 50125
RE: Warren County Jail
Dear Chairman Shull,
I am contacting you in regards to the Warren County Jail. As you know, the Department of Corrections Jail Inspector conducts annual inspections to ensure compliance with the State of Iowa jail inspection standards. Warren County Jail inspection reports from 2010 to current have a common theme: consistently addressing housekeeping including food storage in the hallway, mold, climate control issues, spray foam insulation, rust, chipping paint, plumbing, HVAC system, exposed electrical wiring, fire barriers, poor water pressure, sewer issues including sewer gas; overcrowding, admission and classification, prisoners with mattresses on the floor, housing felons with misdemeanor, housing charged with convicted, those likely to be exploited with likely victims; along with safety and security concerns.
On June 1, 2015 two prisoners escaped from the jail. One of the escapees was charged with vehicular manslaughter. On August 15, 2016, another prisoner escaped from the jail. On October 11, 2016 a prisoner committed suicide. The design and conditions of the jail are, in part, tied to these incidents.
On June 22, 2016, the Iowa State Sheriff’s and Deputies Association Jail Committee was invited by Sheriff Vos to conduct an independent tour of the jail in order to assess the on-going issues raised in past jail inspection reports. Their comments concurred with past jail inspection reports (see attached letter).
From September 2015 until January 2017, three different mold tests have been completed by different firms with varying opinions and results. Chief Judge Arthur Gamble made numerous attempts to have the unsanitary conditions in the jail and courthouse addressed without satisfactory results. The Courts made a decision on June 28, 2016 to move out of the Warren County Courthouse.
The Department of Corrections Jail Inspector received a letter from Supervisor Dean Yordi March 9, 2017. The letter discusses admission and classification, admitting it is nearly impossible due to the configuration of the jail; housekeeping issues to be addressed in Spring 2017, and a bond issue for a new facility in August of 2017. The August 2017 bond issue was never formalized.
Supervisor Yordi advised the Department of Corrections Jail Inspector in a phone conversation on May 5, 2017, and followed up with an email clarification on May 16, 2017, that hopefully a bond issue will take place in November 2017. If a bond referendum has been scheduled for November 2017, please forward official documentation to the Iowa Department of Corrections, 510 E 12th St., Des Moines, Iowa 50319. If the bond referendum has not been scheduled for November 2017, the Iowa Department of Corrections will need to move forward with formal proceedings outlined in Iowa Code §356.43 if a bond referendum is not scheduled or passed by January 31, 2018.
The Iowa Department of Corrections recognizes the deteriorating condition of the Warren County Jail and has diligently attempted to work with Warren County authorities since 2010 to find a workable solution. We are at a juncture where the safety, security, and health of staff, prisoners, and the public are an issue. It is imperative that Warren County move forward with corrective actions. From the correspondence that I have reviewed from the Warren County Board of Supervisors, I understand the best corrective action is to build a new jail facility.
The Department of Corrections Jail Inspection Unit stands ready to be of assistance and to be a resource as you move forward.
With kind personal regard,
Michael V. Savala
Michael V. Savala
General Counsel
Cc: Brian Vos, Warren County Sheriff
Jerry Bartruff, Director, Iowa Department of Corrections
Delbert Longley, Jail Inspector, Iowa Department of Corrections
Major John Godar, President, Iowa State Sheriff’s and Deputies Association
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