The Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa — Two corrections officers at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison have been fired after the death of an inmate.
The Des Moines Register, citing state records, says the correctional officers were fired after they lied about how often they checked on the inmate, who was found in a mental health unit.
David Rodamaker died of a heart inflammation in December. According to records, he was dead for about an hour before his body was found.
Correctional officer Justin Woolever of Fort Madison and another guard, who was not identified in state records, were fired after Rodamaker’s death. Prison investigators claim that neither completed all their rounds.
An administrative law judge has ruled that Woolever was not eligible for jobless benefits because he was fired for misconduct.
Prison spokesman Fred Scaletta declined to name the other guard.