Iowa Senators Weigh In On Prison Future

Fort Madison, IA – A legislative forum in Fort Madison focused on the future of thes maximum security prison within the city. Fort Madison Mayor Steve Ireland and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tracy Vance says keeping the prison in Fort Madison must be the top priority for city leaders this year. Democratic Senator Tom Courtney of Burlington says keeping the prison in Fort Madison must be a priority for all of Southeast Iowa. He says some lawmakers want to wait until Governor Tom Vilsack, who is from Southeast Iowa, is out of office before making a decision on the prison. Vilsack has said that the prison should remain in Fort Madison, no matter what. Democratic Senator Gene Fraise of Fort Madison says that without Vilsack in office when the decision is made, chances are 70-30 that Fort Madison would lose the prison. He says he would not support building a new facility. Fraise says the state should instead upgrade and improve the current prison.