Inmates’ Class Action Challenges Exclusions from Iowa DOC’s Sex Offender Treatment Program

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Two inmates have filed a proposed class action in which they allege Iowa’s Department of Corrections (IDOC), its director, and three other officials have violated state law by refusing hundreds of individuals from participating in IDOC’s Sex Offender Treatment Program. The plaintiffs further claim those excluded from the IDOC’s program are most frequently those required to participate in such treatment, whereas other inmates subject to mandatory treatment, such as substance abuse or domestic violence treatment, are “promptly and routinely placed into programming.” Even further, the plaintiffs say the denial of participation in the Sex Offender Treatment Program deprives some inmates from accruing earned time on their sentences without due process, effectively prolonging their incarceration, according to the lawsuit.

The plaintiffs are serving respective sentences of at least 25 and 20 years confinement. Each man states they were required by IDOC to participate in the Sex Offender Treatment Program before they can be discharged.