The Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC) is facing scrutiny for failing to align its administrative rules with state laws concerning the seizure of funds from inmates by county jails. According to the Iowa Office of Ombudsman’s annual report, there have been ongoing allegations and investigations highlighting improper financial practices in various county jails across Iowa. These discrepancies stem from a conflict between Iowa’s laws and the DOC’s administrative rules, leading to unlawful garnishments of inmates’ commissary accounts.
Iowa law mandates that county jails provide necessary medical and dental care for inmates who have objectively serious medical conditions. While county sheriffs can recover these medical expenses from inmates, they can only do so after a conviction and upon approval from a district court judge. However, reports from the ombudsman highlighted instances where county jails, including Wapello County Jail, took money from inmates’ accounts for medical expenses prior to any conviction. This not only contravenes state law but raises serious ethical and legal issues regarding the treatment of inmates.
As outlined in the March 2024 report from the ombudsman, some jails have acknowledged these irregularities and have started to modify their procedures regarding medical expense recovery. Nevertheless, the DOC has been resistant to revising its own administrative rules to be consistent with state regulations. This failure to adapt the rules exacerbates existing confusion among jail administrators, who are often relying on outdated guidelines in their financial dealings.
The issue of rule inconsistency was first brought to the attention of the DOC by the ombudsman in 2017, with an expectation of a review followed by appropriate action. However, the DOC declined to make changes, expressing that further consultation with local associations was required, which ultimately led to inaction. The ombudsman’s office argues that ensuring administrative rules accurately reflect state law is a fundamental responsibility of the DOC.
In response to the ombudsman’s recommendation for rule changes, DOC Director Beth Skinner indicated that guidance for county jails should come from non-governmental organizations rather than the DOC itself. Skinner also pointed out that the DOC employs a jail inspector to monitor compliance with laws; however, this inspector does not possess the financial expertise to guide jails on proper financial practices.
Moving forward, the ombudsman’s office remains committed to advocating for revisions to the DOC’s rules to eliminate confusion and ensure the proper handling of inmates’ funds in compliance with state law. The ongoing conflict between the DOC’s administrative practices and Iowa law highlights the need for better oversight and clearer guidelines to protect the rights and financial interests of inmates within the state’s correctional system, thereby promoting fairness and legal compliance in the management of jail finances. Through legislative action and collaboration among relevant stakeholders, it is hoped that the discrepancies in the administrative guidelines will be resolved, fostering greater accountability within the state’s correctional facilities.