Iowa Department of Corrections

Project Reality recently visited FDCF to deliver a powerful and impactful presentation to incarcerated individuals in the gym. Project Reality is made up of incarcerated individuals serving life sentences without the possibility of parole who volunteer their time to share their personal journeys. Through honest storytelling, they speak about the choices and experiences that led them to prison and use those lessons to mentor younger incarcerated individuals. Their mission is to help guide others toward more positive life paths and to prevent them from repeating the same mistakes. This program not only provides meaningful peer mentorship for younger individuals, but also offers those serving life sentences a constructive way to contribute, lead, and inspire change from within. We appreciate the time, courage, and commitment of everyone involved in supporting this important initiative. #IDOC

Please join the 8th District in recognizing the new leadership duo at ORF: Michael Schakel and Nicole Ayala. Their journeys reflect a shared theme: growth through persistence, leadership through service, and opportunity through dedication. #IDOC

FDCF is proud to recognize Tim, who has been selected by his peers as Employee of the Quarter! Tim is described as respectful, helpful, kind, dedicated, and fun — someone who is always willing to step in and do whatever it takes to support smooth institutional operations. In addition to training new staff, Tim is frequently found inside the institution assisting with escorts, recreation, showers, and segregation unit reviews. His positive attitude and commitment to prosocial behavior make a meaningful impact on facility culture every day. Thank you, Tim, for your outstanding contributions and for setting a strong example for others to follow! #IDOC

We’re proud to recognize the many well-deserved awards received this quarter across the Newton Correctional Facility. These achievements reflect the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of their staff. Congratulations to all honorees, and thank you for the work you do every day to make a difference. #IDOC

This #NationalPoliceWeek, we honor and thank the brave men and women of our High-Risk Units (HRUs) across the Iowa Department of Corrections. 💙 Your commitment, skill, and courage in the face of high-risk situations do not go unnoticed. Whether responding to critical incidents or supporting facility and community safety, you represent the highest standards of law enforcement and public service. We see you. We value you. And we are proud to stand beside you. #IDOC | #NationalPoliceWeek

🌷 𝓗𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓜𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻'𝓼 𝓓𝓪𝔂 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓘𝓸𝔀𝓪 𝓓𝓮𝓹𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓒𝓸𝓻𝓻𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼 🌷 Today, we honor and celebrate the strength, compassion, and resilience of mothers across Iowa — including the incredible moms who serve in Corrections, support our communities, and care for their families with unwavering dedication. To the mothers on our staff, in our facilities, and in our communities: thank you for all you do. Your leadership, love, and example make a lasting impact every day. Wishing all moms a day filled with gratitude, peace, and appreciation. 💐 #IDOC | #HappyMothersDay

We’re proud to share highlights from the Eastside NET graduation from April. 🎓 Congratulations to all graduates who reached this important milestone — your hard work, commitment, and perseverance are truly commendable. Programs like NET continue to play a vital role in supporting personal growth and successful reentry. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event meaningful. #IDOC

We enjoyed connecting with Brady Reeves, a Public Relations student at the University of Northern Iowa, and appreciate the opportunity to support hands-on learning experiences in professional communications. Brady recently collaborated on a feature story following an interaction at a UNI Career Fair with Heidi Soethout from the 6th District, highlighting the kind of real-world storytelling and curiosity that helps develop strong communication skills. The resulting piece was selected for publication in the UNI student newspaper, showcasing his ability to observe, engage, and follow through on a compelling narrative. We appreciate opportunities like this to support emerging professionals as they build experience in the field of communications and explore careers in public service storytelling. #IDOC

🩺 𝙽𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝙽𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚜 𝚆𝚎𝚎𝚔 This week, we proudly recognize the incredible dedication, compassion, and resilience of our Iowa DOC nurses. Whether providing care behind the walls or in the community, you are the heartbeat of our health services. Your work matters. Your care saves lives. Thank you for making a difference—every shift, every patient, every day. 💙 #IDOC

Congratulations to Sgt. Dillion Huston on earning 1st place in room searches at the USPCA Trials! 🐾 This achievement reflects an exceptional level of dedication, skill, and hard work. Competing at this level requires discipline, precision, and a commitment to excellence—qualities Sgt. Huston demonstrates every day. We’re also proud to share that all DOC K9 teams successfully passed certification during this year’s trials. Sgt. Huston and K9 Tito’s top finish is a standout accomplishment and a testament to the strength of our K9 program. Please join us in congratulating Sgt. Huston and all of our K9 teams on a job well done! #IDOC