Construction on schedule for high-tech Iowa prison
FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — The warden of a new Iowa prison says the facility will be one of the nation’s most secure once the project is finished.
The Gazette in Cedar Rapids reports that the new Iowa State Penitentiary will house more than 275 convicted killers once construction ends. Those inmates will move from the current, out-of-date facility, and more will arrive later to relieve crowding in other state prisons.
Work crews are on pace to complete the project in January. The new, 800-bed facility is expected to cost $130 million.
Warden Nick Ludwick says the prison will feature electrified, razor-wire fencing. Locks on cell doors will be wired to a central hub. Members of the state Board of Corrections toured the old prison and the new construction site on Friday.
