Iowa Department of Corrections

What Iowa Department of Corrections does

The Iowa Department of Corrections is a state government agency headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, responsible for operating Iowa's statewide correctional system under the oversight of the Board of Corrections. The agency manages nine prison facilities — including Iowa State Penitentiary, Anamosa State Penitentiary, the Iowa Medical and Classification Center, and Newton Correctional Facility — and eight community-based corrections districts that provide probation, parole, and pretrial supervision across the state. Approximately 40,000 individuals are under community supervision, and the agency also conducts annual inspections of all Iowa county jails under Iowa Code 356, exercising regulatory authority as one of only 21 states where jail standards are overseen by the state DOC. The department reports its lowest recidivism rate in a decade as of September 2025.

The agency's core technology stack centers on a data analytics layer built through partnerships with Recidiviz (a nonprofit providing a standardized statewide data integration covering the 40,000-person supervised population) and SAS (Evidence-Based Corrections Dashboards used for parole risk score calculation, public health monitoring, and real-time post-release tracking). It also publishes standardized corrections datasets — prison population, admissions, releases, revocations — through the Iowa Open Data Portal (data.iowa.gov). The department operates a wholly-owned subsidiary, Iowa Prison Industries, which runs work training programs at Newton Correctional Facility and partners with Homes for Iowa to construct affordable modular housing for disaster-impacted communities. Additional offerings include inmate and family services (visitation, telephone, Ameelio communications, care packages, money transfer), victim services (registration/VINE, restitution, dialogue programs), PREA compliance, offender search via doc-search.iowa.gov, and a recently published FY2027-FY2031 Strategic Plan.

Funding is derived primarily from Iowa state appropriations and tax revenues, supplemented by inmate-related fees for telephone, money transfer, and care package services, and revenue from Iowa Prison Industries' product and service contracts with public and nonprofit agencies. Specific pricing is not publicly disclosed in commercial terms. The agency serves state prison inmates, individuals on probation/parole/pretrial supervision, crime victims, and county jail operators, with a stated operating philosophy centered on evidence-based practices, recidivism reduction, rehabilitation, and community safety.

Name

Iowa Department of Corrections

Legal name

Iowa Department of Corrections

Website

https://doc.iowa.gov

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Iowa Department of Corrections operates Iowa's nine prison facilities and eight community-supervision districts, managing approximately 40,000 individuals on probation and parole. It partners with Recidiviz and SAS for data analytics, risk scoring, and evidence-based corrections practices statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

State Correctional Services

NAICS

Correctional Institutions (922140), Correctional Institutions (92214), Parole Offices and Probation Offices (922150), Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (922)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Corrections, Probation & Parole Administration (BPAIABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adult Corrections (Prisons & Jails) (BPAIAFAD), Community Corrections (Probation, Parole & Reentry) (BPAIAFAE), Correctional Facility Operations (Prisons & Jails) (BPAKANAA), Electronic Monitoring & Community Corrections Services (Ankle Monitoring, Probation Support) (BPAKANAF)

Keywords

• Correctional facility operations
• Community supervision services
• Incarceration rehabilitation programs
• Prison inmate management
• Criminal justice data analytics

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Iowa Department of Corrections operates the statewide correctional system for the State of Iowa, providing secure incarceration across nine prison facilities, community-based supervision across eight district offices for approximately 40,000 individuals on probation, parole, and pretrial release, rehabilitation and work release programs, victim services, and mental health services. The agency also operates Iowa Prison Industries, which produces goods through inmate labor, and oversees jail standards compliance across Iowa county jails. Public-facing technology includes the official website, an Offender Search portal, an Open Data Portal with corrections statistics, Evidence-Based Corrections Dashboards developed in partnership with SAS, and a Recidiviz-powered statewide data integration platform.

Product overview

The Iowa Department of Corrections operates a unified correctional system comprising nine prison facilities, eight district offices, and community-based corrections programs. The agency provides secure incarceration, rehabilitation services, work release programs, and victim services. Technology products include the official website with offender search functionality, Iowa Open Data portal with daily statistics, Evidence-Based Corrections Dashboards developed with SAS for analytics and risk scoring, and a Recidiviz data integration platform. Ancillary programs include Iowa Prison Industries (work training), Homes for Iowa (affordable housing construction), and PREA compliance initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• State Prison Incarceration Services Secure incarceration across nine state prison facilities including Iowa State Penitentiary, Anamosa State Penitentiary, Iowa Medical and Classification Center, Fort Dodge, Clarinda, Mount Pleasant, Newton, North Central, and the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women, providing custody, rehabilitation, education, and reentry programming for incarcerated individuals in Iowa.
• Community-Based Corrections (Probation and Parole) Community supervision for approximately 40,000 individuals on pretrial, probation, and parole status delivered through eight district offices across Iowa's counties, including case management, supervision compliance, evidence-based conditions, and revocations oversight.
• Work Release Programs Residential work release centers allowing eligible inmates to work in the community while serving their sentences, supporting workforce reintegration and reducing recidivism across multiple Iowa locations.
• Victim Services Services for crime victims including registration in the VINE notification system, confidential victim input statements, Victim Wrap Around safety planning, victim-offender dialogue programs, and restitution and compensation assistance.
• Iowa Jail Standards Inspection Program Annual jail inspections and standards compliance oversight of Iowa county jails under Iowa Code 356, including documentation review, facility tours, prisoner interaction, and operational review by DOC Inspectors, plus the Best of the Best Jail Recognition program.
• PREA Compliance Program Federal PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) compliance program covering policies PREA-01 through PREA-04, annual reports, audit reports, training, and procedures for reporting and investigating sexual violence allegations in IDOC facilities.
• Iowa Prison Industries Self-funded state-operated work training program based at Newton Correctional Facility that provides incarcerated individuals with skilled trades experience while producing high-quality products and services for public and nonprofit agencies.
• Homes for Iowa Nonprofit partnership with Iowa DOC and Iowa Prison Industries building affordable, energy-efficient modular homes at Newton Correctional Facility, providing skilled trades training to incarcerated individuals while addressing housing shortages statewide, including disaster-impacted communities.
• Offender Search (doc-search.iowa.gov) Public offender search portal providing information about incarcerated individuals across all Iowa correctional facilities and community supervision districts.
• Iowa Open Data Portal (Corrections Data) Public open data portal providing access to Iowa Corrections datasets including Current Iowa Correctional System Prison Population, Offenders Released from Iowa Prisons, Iowa Probation Admissions, Iowa Prison Admissions, and Iowa Probation Revocations.
• Iowa DOC Daily Statistics Daily statistics dashboard providing current correctional system population data for the Iowa Department of Corrections, refreshed regularly and accessible via doc-search.iowa.gov/dailystatistics.
• Evidence-Based Corrections Dashboards Analytics dashboards developed in collaboration with SAS providing real-time insights for decision-making across correctional operations, including public health monitoring, risk score calculations for parole board decisions, and post-release tracking tools for parole officers.
• Recidiviz Data Platform (Iowa) Statewide data integration platform operated by Recidiviz stitching disconnected Iowa corrections databases into a standardized data layer, providing leadership dashboards, personalized probation and parole officer dashboards with live caseload analytics, and tools to improve outcomes for the 40,000 people under Iowa supervision.
• Probation Conditions Reform Program Research partnership with Justice System Partners implementing reduced probation conditions in the 1st and 5th Districts, with rewritten conditions aligned with behavioral change research and ongoing violation/revocation data analysis showing 90% successful probation completion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of individuals successfully complete probation supervision at 18-months in pilot districts
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Habitat for Humanity of North Central IowamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 2026Partnership for placing Homes for Iowa homes in communities. Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa received the 150th Homes for Iowa home in Mason City, demonstrating successful collaboration between the corrections-prison industries partnership and local Habitat affiliates.
• Iowa Medical and Classification Center (IMCC)coreOthers · 6 June 2025Dr. Usha Chhatlani appointed as Mental Health Director for the department, based at IMCC. IMCC serves as the primary mental health facility within the corrections system, providing clinical leadership and oversight of mental health services statewide.
• Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.minorOthers · 12 May 2025Non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing bullet and stab protective vests for law enforcement K9s. Donated vests to multiple Iowa DOC K9s including Otto, Tank, Khaos, and Bradley through Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. program. Each vest valued at $1,800, NIJ certified, and U.S. made.
• SAS (SAS Institute)coreTechnology or Integration · 31 March 2025Collaboration with SAS to develop Evidence-Based Corrections Dashboards providing critical insights to improve operations across the Iowa DOC. Dashboards instrumental in managing public health, calculating risk scores for parole decisions, and supporting real-time post-release monitoring.
• RecidivizcoreTechnology or Integration · 4 September 2024Public-private partnership with technology nonprofit Recidiviz to leverage real-time data for improving corrections outcomes and enhancing public safety. Iowa joins 15 other states using Recidiviz's data and tools. Partnership focuses on improving outcomes for 40,000 people on supervision including pretrial, probation and parole. Provides standardized statewide data layer, personalized dashboards for parole officers, and analytical tools for leadership.
• Governor Kim ReynoldscoreOthers · 4 September 2024Governor directed the Iowa DOC to partner with Iowa Prison Industries and Homes for Iowa for rapid response housing for disaster-impacted Iowans. Governor's leadership enabled construction of five new homes for FEMA-approved disaster counties.
• Homes for IowacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 July 2024Partnership with Homes for Iowa nonprofit and Iowa Prison Industries to construct affordable modular homes for disaster-impacted communities. Homes built by incarcerated individuals at Newton Correctional Facility provide skilled trades training while reducing recidivism. Partnership has placed over 150 homes across 51+ Iowa counties since 2020, with Homes for Iowa delivering nearly move-in-ready homes statewide.
• U.S. Marshals Service Southern Iowa Fugitive Task ForcemajorOthers · 30 June 2024Multi-agency collaboration including U.S. Marshals, Des Moines County Sheriff's Office, Burlington Police, Fort Madison Police, Polk County Sheriff's Office, Iowa DCI, and Iowa DOC High Risk Unit for 'Operation Time's Up' fugitive operation resulting in 45 arrests, 2 firearms recovered, and significant drugs taken off streets.
• Marshalltown Central Business DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 June 2024Clean Downtown, Bright Community partnership where residential clients maintain downtown Marshalltown streets, picking up litter and spraying weeds. Started May 2024, with clients collecting over 400 pounds of debris in six weeks. Helps clients develop self-efficacy while contributing to community.
• Justice System PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2020Partnership with Justice System Partners (JSP) research organization to critically reevaluate probation conditions in 1st and 5th Districts. JSP researchers followed individuals with reduced conditions, evaluating violation and revocation rates at 6, 12, and 18 months. Study found 90% successful probation completion and that fewer conditions with greater flexibility significantly improved outcomes in the 5th District. The initiative has become a national model.

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Illinois Department of Corrections: Midwestern state corrections agency with state prisons, parole, and reentry services; comparable in geographic and operational profile to Iowa's DOC.
• Florida Department of Corrections: State agency operating Florida's prison system and probation; comparable in mission to operate state prisons, inmate programs, and community supervision.
• Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction: Midwestern state DOC that administers state prisons, parole, and community-based corrections with a strong emphasis on rehabilitation and reentry, closely paralleling Iowa's mandate.
• New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS): State agency that combines incarceration and community supervision (parole) under one umbrella, mirroring Iowa's institutional/community-based corrections structure.
• Minnesota Department of Corrections: Neighboring Midwest state DOC operating prisons, supervised release, and community corrections; similar size and reform focus, making it a strong regional peer for Iowa.
• Pennsylvania Department of Corrections: State agency operating a unified correctional system with state prisons, community corrections, and parole services; comparable in structure and scope to the Iowa DOC.
• California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR): Operates the largest state correctional system in the U.S.; directly comparable state agency responsible for prison operations, rehabilitation, and parole/community supervision, with a much larger scale but identical core mandate.
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ): State agency overseeing state prisons, parole, and community justice; another large-scale peer operating a unified correctional system with institutional and community-based corrections divisions.

Others

• Recidiviz: Technology nonprofit partner that provides the data layer and dashboards powering Iowa's corrections analytics; relevant as a key enabling technology partner and is being deployed in 15+ other state DOCs.
• U.S. Marshals Service: Federal law enforcement agency that collaborates with Iowa DOC on fugitive task force operations (e.g., Operation Time's Up); adjacent public-safety partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IowaCorrections
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCltY2PABjitQpT4Op2w3kTw
• Facebookfacebook.com/IowaCorrections
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iowa-department-of-corrections
• Instagraminstagram.com/iowacorrections

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Iowa Department of Corrections