Public commenters urge answers on attorney general referrals, overcrowding, hot water and volunteer access

A series of public commenters at the Iowa Board of Corrections meeting on April 11 pressed the board and staff for answers on multiple operational issues, including delays in multidisciplinary team (MDT) referrals to the attorney general, overcrowding, facility heating/cooling and hot‑water work, volunteer access policies and phone‑funding processes.

Requests for attorney general participation and MDT clarity

Richard Norden of Des Moines noted a prior board request that the attorney general’s office explain its process for MDT referrals and asked when that would occur. Several commenters, including Dawn Bovemeyer, said long waits for MDT/attorney‑general action are contributing to prolonged confinement for some people. "Momentum is building," Bovemeyer said, describing petitions and legislative interest in the issue.

Overcrowding and levels

Multiple speakers cited system overcrowding. A public commenter and others used a figure near 8,800 people in capacity that exceeds available beds and said overcrowding forces housing people in administrative segregation or level‑1 housing for long periods. One speaker said at ISP there was a roughly 100‑person wait list for level‑2 placement.

Facility conditions and capital work

Larry Smith (CURE board) asked why air conditioning approved in 2019 had not been scheduled and questioned why an Anamosa cell‑block renovation wouldn’t include hot water in cells despite broader plumbing and mold remediation work. He asked why officials were not using available funds to complete cooling projects.

Volunteer access and religion

Ron Pyle and other volunteers said they have repeatedly been denied visiting or volunteer access. Pyle described being denied as a volunteer for religious services and asked why past communications with incarcerated people disqualified him from volunteering now. He said the denials appear to contradict the department’s mission statements surrounding reduced recidivism.

Family and technology concerns

Speakers urged expanded virtual visit options and faster methods to add funds to phone accounts. Danielle Mitchell asked whether DOC could allow electronic fund transfers (for example a Western Union option) instead of paper forms that take days to post, and asked about returning vending machines to visitation rooms so traveling families can buy food during visits. Sue Smelden described a custodial parent case where long confinement was affecting her grandchildren and asked for at least video visits.

Board response and next steps

Board members said they want the attorney general to appear for an update but staff noted ongoing litigation may limit that option and offered to report back. Chair and board members thanked speakers and said staff would compile responses where possible. No formal action was recorded during the public‑comment period.