Iowa lawmaker fears prison layoffs

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20110411/NEWS97/704119881/0#iowa-lawmaker-fears-prison-layoffs

Published Monday April 11, 2011

Photo: http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=OW&Date=20110411&Category=NEWS97&ArtNo=704119881&Ref=AR&maxw=490&maxh=275
Inmates walks across the yard at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison.


DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A lawmaker says he's worried that a legislative impasse over supplemental spending could force layoffs at the state's prisons.

Sen. Tom Hancock, a Democrat from Epworth, says prison officials could be forced to lay off workers as early as next month if the impasse isn't resolved.

Speaking with reporters Monday, Gov. Terry Branstad says he has met with top Democratic and Republican legislative leaders and expressed confidence lawmakers would reach a compromise.

Hancock warned that the prisons are holding about 25 percent more inmates than they were designed for and that staffing levels have fallen.

FULL story at link.

[provis99]

1. oh, how terrible.

We'd have to let all the convicted potheads out of prison to deal with the inmate crowding.
edited to place sarcasm smilie. :sarcasm: