Complaints about state prisons and county jails continue to be at the top of the list for Iowa State Ombudsman Kristie Hirschman. She says from 2016 to 2017 those complaints increased by 24 percent — and she believes it’s a problem that has more to do with mental illness than laws. Hirschman says Bill Angrick the long-time Ombudsman that first brought her into the office first identified the trouble.
Hirschman says the law the governor recently signed to try and get more help for those with mental health issues is a good thing.
Hirschman encourages Iowans to continue reporting issues with state government and agencies.
Hirschman’s annual report is available online at the Ombudsman’s website. The report highlights some of the key complaints and cases they worked on in 2017.
