Parents of Murdered Nurse Sue Anamosa Prison and Former Warden

The parents of a nurse killed last year have filed a lawsuit claiming negligence in the death of their daughter.

CBS2 reports that the lawsuit names the Iowa Department of Corrections, Iowa Prison Industries, Anamosa State Penitentiary, and the former warden. 50-year-old Lorena Schulte suffered severe head trauma from the attack which led to her death. The inmates involved failed in their plan to escape. According to CBS2 the lawsuit also claims the warden at the time, Jeremy Larson, failed to provide a safe working environment, sufficient training, staffing, and safety measures.

The lawsuit comes nearly 20 months after two inmates at the Anamosa Penitentiary carried out the deadly attack on Schulte and correctional officer Robert McFarland during a failed escape attempt, according to CBS2. The two were killed on March 21st, 2021. Tools from the prison's work area were used in the attack. The two inmates were both charged with their murders, as well as the attempted murder of another employee and the kidnapping of a third staff member.

Thomas Woodard pleaded guilty last year and was sentenced to life in prison, according to CBS2. He is serving his sentence at a prison in Nebraska. Michael Dutcher pleaded guilty last September and is serving his life sentence at a facility in Missouri. As a result of the attacks, the state hired a consulting firm to look into issues at Iowa prisons. They found that overcrowding and staffing issues still exist today. CBS2 reports the issue is top of mind for Iowa lawmakers, but nothing was accomplished during the last legislative session.