Cedar Valley residents don't believe a new state prison is necessary, according to a Courier poll. Of 355 people who responded to the question --- "Does the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison need to be replaced?" --- 210, or 59 percent, voted no.
The question was posed on the Courier's Web site. Gov. Tom Vilsack detailed his request for state corrections officials to consider whether a different prison is needed. The existing penitentiary began operations in 1839 and is the oldest operating prison west of the Mississippi River.
Vilsack's request came on the heels of the highly publicized escape of Robert Legendre and Martin Moon, two inmates serving life sentences. Legendre and Moon escaped Nov. 14 by scaling a prison wall using makeshift ropes and hooks. They were later apprehended in Missouri and Illinois.
Since the escape, Ken Burger, warden of the Fort Madison prison, has been replaced and several security personnel have been reprimanded or relieved of their positions.
One poll respondent felt changes are needed at the prison, though she didn't think a new building is called for.
"There does need to be increased staff so that the prison can (operate) properly," wrote Linda Buttgen of Waterloo. "I am also sure that it is in need of technological upgrades, which should be something that is done on a yearly basis."
A prison would cost about $40 million, but officials estimate the facility could save up to $6 million a year. Operating the existing prison costs about $40 million annually, meaning a new penitentiary would pay for itself in about seven years.