FORT MADISON – Iowa State Penitentiary was placed on lockdown/restricted movement Wednesday, October 18, 2017 after an incident involving a staff assault by a prisoner using homemade weapons.
The staff member was beginning an escort when the offender struck the staff multiple times with a weapon. The staff member with assistance from responding staff were able to subdue the offender.
The staff member was initially sent via ambulance to Fort Madison Community Hospital, but was then transported via ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospital’s, in Iowa City.
The offender is identified as Kieth Piper 6114510 who began his 45 year sentence out of Jasper County for Habitual Offender (Person).
Visiting for all offenders will be suspended until further notice.
This incident remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time.
Update:
The staff member involved in today’s incident is in stable condition at the University of Iowa Hospitals.
The Department has confirmed that two homemade weapons were used in the assault.
Iowa State Penitentiary continues to review and investigate this incident. Any incident of this nature is considered critical. Staff safety is the highest priority as the investigation into this matter continues. The Department will continue to attend to the needs of the injured officers of both today’s and the incident on Saturday and commends all responding staff for their prompt and excellent response to protect fellow officers and prevent any further harm.