Iowa Prison Officers Hospitalized After Exposure to Synthetic Marijuana

In a concerning incident at Iowa's Anamosa State Penitentiary, three corrections officers required hospitalization after encountering illicit drugs at their workplace. The exposure highlights a growing issue within correctional facilities across the nation.

According to a report from KCRG, the officers fell ill on July 20 following the discovery of K2, a synthetic marijuana variant, during a routine cell inspection. The drug, in paper form, led to symptoms consistent with a drug overdose in the officers.

Emergency responders administered NARCAN to treat the officers, who were then rushed to the hospital. Todd Copley, president of AFSCME Council 61, emphasized the risks faced by correctional staff, stating, “What happened at the state penitentiary is a stark reminder of the constant, dangerous risks our correctional staff face just doing their jobs.”

This incident is part of a broader trend of secondary exposure to drugs in correctional facilities nationwide. Similar concerns have been raised by AFSCME members in Connecticut, Illinois, and other states, urging enhanced safety measures.

The timing of these medical emergencies coincides with Iowa's plans to outsource health care services in correctional facilities and make changes to retirement plans affecting public service employees, including corrections officers.

Copley insists, “Iowa’s correctional professionals deserve better — starting with real staffing, resources, and safety protocols that match the threats they face every day.” AFSCME is advocating for the Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025 (S. 180), which seeks to fund safety equipment and training to mitigate drug exposure risks in prisons.