Iowa State Penitentiary – Overview and Information
The Iowa State Penitentiary (ISP) is a state prison located in Fort Madison, Iowa, held by the Iowa Department of Corrections. Earlier known as the Iowa Territorial Prison, it became operational in 1839 and is located in the same place as the original state penitentiary. It serves as a maximum security facility and a housing unit for death row male inmates.
The Iowa State Penitentiary is the oldest prison in Iowa, having been in operation for more than 180 years. The prison consists of four units: the East Intake and Admission Center, the maximum-security unit, the Iowa State Correctional Institution, and a minimum-security unit. It is one of the most secure prisons in the state and is managed by the Iowa Department of Corrections. The ISP is overseen directly and administered on behalf of the state of Iowa by the Director of the Department of Corrections.
As of 2017, the ISP held a total of 1,479 inmates. About half of the inmates are categorized as maximum security at the ISP, and another 500 are housed in the two lower-security units. The prison is divided into four separate cell blocks, two for medium security and two for minimum security.
The ISP is located on the southwest side of Fort Madison, Iowa. Those inmates who have been sentenced to death are typically held in the East Intake and Admission Center. Onsite in the facility are a variety of services including educational classes, job training and vocational training programs, library access, recreational facilities, health services, and counseling.
The Iowa State Penitentiary receives funding from the state and operates as a non-profit organization with its own Board of Directors, members of the community and representatives from the Iowa Department of Corrections. The purpose of the organization is to promote a safe, secure, and humane correctional environment and to provide programs for inmates that will assist them in preparing to re-enter society. Many of the programs held at the ISP are designed to reduce recidivism rates. It is also the site of the state’s death chamber, where executions are carried out.
Iowa State Penitentiary – Classes, Services, and Programs
The Iowa State Penitentiary (ISP) is one of the most secure and oldest correctional facilities in Iowa. Located in Fort Madison, ISP houses male juvenile and adult offenders, including those with maximum security status. To meet the needs of its population, the prison offers various programs and services, including education, career development, and mental health.
Education: No matter their level of education when they arrive, inmates at ISP are encouraged to further their learning through GED, college, and library programs. With a GED, inmates can earn their high school diploma, gain access to college-level courses, and take advantage of job placement services. College courses are delivered onsite through a partnership with Kirkwood Community College, while library classes can help inmates access research and reference materials.
Career Development: To promote successful workforce re-entry for inmates, ISP has established its Career Development program, which offers focused instruction in resume writing, cover letters, interview techniques, and job search strategies. This program helps make inmates more marketable and increases their chances of finding employment upon release.
Mental Health: IPS emphasizes mental health treatment for inmates through intensive psychotherapy and individual counseling. The facility also provides cognitive-behavioral programming and substance abuse treatment. To meet the therapeutic needs of inmates, ISP also offers specialized psychotherapy groups and anger management classes.
Inmates are encouraged to get involved in ISP’s programs and services in order to grow, learn, and better prepare for life after release. The prison offers a variety of tangible opportunities for inmates to thrive while in a secure setting and become more equipped for successful reintegration into society upon release.
Inmate visiting application in Iowa State Penitentiary
In Iowa, the Iowa Department of Corrections oversees all state-level prison facilities, including the Iowa State Penitentiary. All inmate visits must occur according to strict guidelines in order to ensure inmate and visitor safety.
The first step in applying to visit an inmate in Iowa State Penitentiary is to fill out a visitation application form. This form can be obtained from the Iowa Department of Corrections website. The form must include the name of the requestor and the inmate, the purpose of the visit, and the duration of the visit. The form must also be signed and dated by the requestor and include their address and a valid ID.
Once the application is submitted, it is up to the inmate’s correctional officer or facility choice to review and determine whether the application is approved or denied. If approved, visitors must provide proof of valid ID upon arrival to the facility. All visitors must arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled visit to check in. Bags, purses, and cell phones are not permitted in the visitation area and must be left in the visitor’s vehicle.
All visitors must also abide by the visitation rules and regulations to ensure the safety of all involved. For instance, visitors are not allowed to bring any food, drinks, weapons, documents, or contraband to the visitation area.
The Iowa Department of Corrections expects all visitors to be respectful of inmates and staff at all times and to remain mindful that the facility is a drug free and alcohol free area. Any visitor that fails to obey the visitation rules and regulations will be removed and may have their privileges revoked.
Visiting an inmate in Iowa State Penitentiary can be a positive experience and helpful to the overall rehabilitation of inmates. All visitors must follow the visitation rules and regulations in order to ensure the safety and security of staff and inmates.
Iowa State Penitentiary: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Q: Where is the Iowa State Penitentiary located?
A: The Iowa State Penitentiary (ISP) is located in Fort Madison, Iowa, in Lee County. It’s approximately halfway between Iowa City and the Quad Cities.
Q: What is the security level of the facility?
A: The Iowa State Penitentiary is a medium-security facility. It houses inmates sentenced to up to life sentences.
Q: What general services does Iowa State Penitentiary provide?
A: ISP provides a variety of services to meet the educational, medical, psychological, and spiritual needs of inmates while prison staff enforce safety and security. For instance, ISP has family outreach coordination, prerelease programming, GED classes, substance use disorder services, and volunteer services.
Q: How can I contact an inmate at Iowa State Penitentiary?
A: Friends and family can contact inmates in different ways. You can send mail through USPS or use the electronic messaging system available through Jpay.com. You can also call the facility directly at 641-683-5731.
Q: How do I visit an inmate at Iowa State Penitentiary?
A: Friends and family must register at least 24 hours in advance for visiting. Please be aware that visits may be delayed, and facility staff have the right to limit the length and number of visits. Visitor rules also apply; please make sure to review the visitation rules before planning a visit.
Q: How do I send money to an inmate at Iowa State Penitentiary?
A: You can deposit money to an inmate’s trust account either online at Jpay.com or in person at the facility. You can also send money through US mail or wire transfer; however, this must be done through a third-party service.
Q: How do I obtain information about an inmate’s release date?
A: Information about an inmate’s release date can be obtained from the offender information and search page on the Iowa Department of Corrections website. You can also contact the facility directly at 641-683-5731.
