The Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) reports that the three-year recidivism rate for FY2023 is 34.3%; or 2.7% lower than the recidivism rate observed in FY2022. These numbers show three consecutive years of reduction in the systems overall recidivism rate.

Recidivism can be defined in a multitude of ways. Generally, recidivism is defined as the likelihood that an individual “relapse[s] into criminal behavior, often after the person receives sanctions or undergoes intervention from a previous crime.”  In layman terms, recidivism is an individual who is released from an Iowa prison and then re-incarcerated for any reason, within three years.

Iowa’s rate of 34.3% is currently just under the national average of 37%. It has a long way to go to beat number one South Carolina, which has 21% but is much lower than New Mexico, which is less than a point shy of 50%.

“Three consecutive years of reducing Iowa’s recidivism rate is a clear indicator that what we’re doing in our correctional system is working,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds. “And now that community-based corrections have been placed under the purview of the IDOC, I’m confident our alignment efforts will produce even greater results. I’d like to thank IDOC staff for all they do to keep Iowa safe, and I have no doubt they will continue to meet their mission of creating opportunities for safer communities.”

“Our state’s recidivism rate is a key indicator in determining if what we’re doing is having the intended impact,” IDOC Director Beth Skinner said. “Not only have we lowered our recidivism rate for three consecutive years, in FY23 we saw our biggest reduction yet. This is a department-wide effort and these efforts are producing outcomes that positively impact public safety. I couldn’t be more proud of the hard work and dedication of our staff in keeping Iowa communities safe.”

There are a number of department wide strategies that contributed to reducing the recidivism rate, which includes but are not limited to:

• Prioritizing institutional and community-based treatment programs for high-risk individuals
• Providing institutional and community-based treatment programs that are evidence-based
• Improved and aligned reentry practices
• Increased access to education opportunities
• Increased access to apprenticeship programs and job skills training

Recidivism Rate by State

Salem Road (J-20), 1 ¼ mile east of Lowell will have a one-lane road closure until Tuesday, November 14th.

Portable traffic lights will be in place, expect delays and use caution.

On November 8^th, 2023, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a violation of a No Contact Order.

An investigation determined a violation of an active No Contact Order did occur. The victim, a juvenile, was contacted via a third party. The offender was identified as Mandola Pope, 18 of New London. On November 9, 2023, Mandola Pope was located and arrested for violation of a No Contact Order, a simple misdemeanor.

A Mt. Pleasant native has announced his candidacy for the 3rd Congressional District. Lanon Baccam is a veteran, public servant, and native of rural Iowa.

In a statement from Baccam, he mentions why he decided to run.

“As a veteran, public servant and father, I’ll go to Washington to get things done for Iowa – to build a stronger economy and deliver real results to the third district,” said Lanon Baccam. “I know that our politics is more divided than ever – and we need leaders to focus on finding solutions, not sowing division. In Congress, I’ll fight to lower costs for families, expand access to good paying jobs right here in Iowa, and ensure seniors can retire with dignity. As a veteran who fought to protect our freedoms abroad, I will stand up here at home to protect women’s reproductive freedoms. Every day, I will put Iowa first.”

Lanon Baccam is challenging current Congressman, Zach Nunn, who was elected to his position this year. Baccam has powerful voices behind his candidacy, with former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack and First Lady Christie Vilsack endorsing him.

“Lanon is the type of public servant this state needs in Congress, and we are honored to support him in this race.”

Lanon was born and raised in Mt. Pleasant, and age 17, enlisted in the Iowa National Guard. In the wake of 9/11, Lanon left community college and answered the call to serve his country. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2004 as a combat engineer, focusing on explosive demolitions and force protection in and around Kandahar.

This is Baccam’s first time running for elected office, although he has been involved with campaigns before. In 2020, he was appointed as the deputy state director for President Joe Biden’s campaign in Iowa.

Baccam was previously appointed as the deputy state director for President Joe Biden’s campaign in Iowa in 2020. This is his first time running for public office, at the age of 42.

The 2024 Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5^th, 2024.

The Mt. Pleasant Community School Board met for a special session on Wednesday evening. There was one topic of discussion brought to the table. The due diligence reports from Carl A. Nelson Construction Company and Terracon for the Iowa Wesleyan buildings were the reason behind this special meeting.

The report from Carl A. Nelson Construction Company revealed a mixture of pros and cons. They were taking a look at the construction and making sure that the buildings were structurally sound. The Student Union is built well, but the windows are not energy efficient, and the roof is “probably at the end of it’s life.” A new HVAC system would need to be installed as well. The plumbing in the building was revealed to be fine for now, and there are no apparent leaks within the building.

The HOWE Hall does not have much wrong with it, other than that a new fire alarm system will need to be installed to fit the code. The roof has a few patches that are not done well, but those should be rather quick fixes. Overall, the building is in good condition. It is the newest building on central campus, and that shows when the plumbing and electrical systems are investigated and found to be in good condition.

The Chapel is a “well built, strong building. It has lasted a long time, and it’s going to last a lot longer.” The HVAC system was installed in 2009 and is in very good condition, as well as the electrical system and plumbing. The basement floor of the Chapel has a fair bit of moisture in the office area which is causing the concrete floor to deteriorate.

The report from Terracon found that there is no need to assess any further at this moment. However, asbestos was discovered in the Student Union and minimal amounts were found in other buildings.

This all comes with a cost, and looking at the mid-range for asbestos abatement for those buildings would likely cost around $550,000. A board member did a rough estimate based on the range presented in both reports to fix all that is required and came up with a figure out $5.5 million dollars or so. This dollar amount also contains the purchase price of the buildings.

The board currently has $3.4 million from the penny sales tax fund, and $2.0 million (or so) in a different fund. These can both be spent on the buildings. They were also told that there are grants that can essentially cover the entire cost of the asbestos abatement, and that these buildings would most likely qualify given their history.

The school board does not have a date set for closing at this moment.

The Terracon report and the Carl A. Nelson Construction Company report are available on the district’s website for the public to look through.

https://www.mtpcsd.org/ Under “News and Announcements”