There are currently 642 women incarcerated in Iowa's prisons.

Read about the unique challenges incarcerated women face during the Covid-19 pandemic in @RachelEllisPhD new article for the @GenderPolicyRpt. https://twitter.com/RachelEllisPhD/status/1262741624930656257

One recommendation is to view women as a priority group for decarceration. Here are Iowa's current reductions by gender:

In two months (Mar 23 to May 23), the number of women incarcerated in Iowa's prisons declined by 15.8%. The number of incarcerated men declined by 9.2%.

Here are the reductions by gender and security-level of facility:

Men in Max/Med: 2.7%
Men in Medium: 10.9%
Women in Medium: 14.5%
Men in Minimum: 11.2%
Women in Minimum: 22.7%

Note that essentially all women are incarcerated at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville, IA (Polk County).

None of the women incarcerated at Mitchellville have tested positive for #covid19. However, at least 3 correctional staff have.

Read about Nicole's experience in Mitchellville in this thread: https://twitter.com/IAHarmReduction/status/1255906057781731328?s=20

Or listen to her story in the full webinar hosted by @IAHarmReduction at https://bit.ly/2XyKC1A