Lawmaker fears layoffs at prisons

DES MOINES (AP) ? A lawmaker says he?s worried that a legislative impasse over supplemental spending could force layoffs at the state?s prisons.

Sen. Tom Hancock, a Democrat from Epworth, says prison officials could be forced to lay off workers as early as next month if the impasse isn?t resolved.

Speaking with reporters Monday, Gov. Terry Branstad says he has met with top Democratic and Republican legislative leaders and expressed confidence lawmakers would reach a compromise.

Hancock warned that the prisons are holding about 25 percent more inmates than they were designed for and that staffing levels have fallen.

There are about 2,800 workers in the system, down from more than 3,000 two years ago.

The additional money for prisons is in a supplemental spending measure still being debated.