DES MOINES, Iowa – The snowstorm hammering Iowa is having an impact on staffing at the state's nine prisons.
Many correctional officers are expected to work extra shifts Wednesday because colleagues aren't able to drive to work in blizzard conditions.
Iowa Department of Corrections spokesman Fred Scaletta says conditions "aren't normal by any means"
According to Scaletta, the 8,300 inmates in Iowa's prisons won't be locked in their cells throughout the day. However, the prisons will be operated on restricted schedules.
Scaletta says inmates will be served three meals as usual, although they may not participate in work or education programs because of staffing shortages.
Scaletta says prison guards usually deal with severe snowstorms by working additional hours, and by waiting at work until roads start to open up. That allows snowbound employees to trickle in throughout the day.
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Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com
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