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Monday 8am - 4:30am Tuesday 8am - 4:30am Wednesday 8am - 4:30am Thursday 8am - 4:30am Friday 8am - 4:30am

District 8, Iowa Department of Corrections

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Fairfield, IA
District 8, Iowa Department of Corrections

Our Mission is to provide community-based correctional services to the fourteen counties in southeast Iowa that comprise the Eighth District, IDOC.

Using treatment and accountability, we provide our clients with opportunities for change.

08/28/2026

It is our pleasure to announce that Paula Bragg has been selected as the Senior Residential Officer at the Burlington Residential Facility.

District Director Daniel T. Fell referred to Bragg as someone who truly believes that people can change, adding, “Through her work, she has clearly demonstrated a high level of understanding of what we aspire to do in residential.”

Holding a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and justice administration, Bragg has been with the district for six years as a Residential Officer. Residential Supervisor Dalton Henry stated, “Paula's experience and work ethic have made her a go-to officer at the facility. We are excited for her step into this leadership role.”

Bragg has demonstrated a strong dedication to the mission of community-based corrections. During her tenure, she has received the district’s Day in Day Out Performer award and the Burlington Residential Facility Making a Difference award. She is also a graduate of the district’s Leadership Academy.

Please join us in congratulating her.

08/18/2026

Our crew at the APPA Training Institute in Chicago this week --- Adam Davis, Kristina Eckert, and Jon Robbins --- are enjoying themselves.

https://www.appa-net.org/institutes/2026-Chicago/

08/16/2026

We are pleased to announce that Pre'Osha Waller has been selected to fill our new Community Corrections Program Specialist position. In this role, she will primarily focus on treatment modalities, including delivering interventions to our clients and providing quality assurance districtwide.

In her current position as the Senior Residential Officer at the Burlington Residential Facility (BRF), she has been responsible for training, coaching, and other high-level tasks. She also has experience working as a Correctional Officer at the maximum-security Iowa State Penitentiary and conducting community engagement activities with AmeriCorps.

Pre’Osha is a graduate of the District’s 2025 Leadership Academy, holds a bachelor’s degree in social science, and has a solid foundation of teaching skills as she currently facilitates two of our core interventions: Thinking for a Change and ACTV.

Treatment Services Manager Kurt Rosenberg stated, “Pre’Osha brings extensive experience working with justice-involved individuals, excels at relationship building, and possesses a growth mindset. All things that will benefit her in this new position.”

Throughout her career, Pre’Osha has consistently volunteered for and excelled at new responsibilities. Trained as a Crisis Negotiator, she also currently serves on the Iowa Department of Corrections’ statewide Coaching and Change Champion Committees. Reflecting her strong performance, Pre’Osha is a former employee of the quarter and is the current Employee of the Year for District 8.

“I am very proud of Pre’Osha. It has been a joy watching her grow in our District,” said District Director Daniel T. Fell.

Pre'Osha will begin to transition to her new role in September.

08/13/2026

I am sad to report that Joe Poisel passed away yesterday at the age of 75. Joe was a longtime Residential Counselor at BRF and later worked as a PPO II in the Burlington field service office until his retirement in 2010.

Those of us who knew Joe can attest to his analytical skills, emotional intelligence, and brilliance. He was a man of many talents, including playing the guitar, playing chess, and mastering the Rubik's Cube. I personally recall mixing up a Rubik's Cube before a Resource Committee meeting way back when, handing it to him quickly from behind my back, and watching him solve it in about 15 seconds — and that was not even his best time.

Joe possessed deep knowledge regarding client treatment and case management, training countless PPOs over the years. He was also a true conversationalist who was genuinely well-liked. Whether discussing sports, current affairs, local government, or whatever, he was always well-informed.

Joe was a good man, and those of us who worked with him are better for the experience.

Respectfully,

Daniel T. Fell
District Director

08/12/2026

The Iowa State Penitentiary is looking for dedicated Correctional Officers to join the DOC team!

Perks include:
$3,000 New Hire Recruitment Bonus & a referral bonuses for current DOC employees.
Full state benefits & room for career growth.

Spread the word or apply yourself today!
https://www.governmentjobs.com/.../correctional...

08/07/2026

Tuesday was the National Night Out, which is an annual community-building event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to enhance safety and strengthen community ties. We have been fortunate to be invited to this event by the Des Moines County Attorney’s Office for many years.

Thank you to Rayshawn, Jerry, Paula, Craig, and Dalton for representing our District this year.

08/06/2026

Community Corrections Program Coordinator Lindsay Epperson recently returned from Advanced Victim Offender Dialogue at the National Institute of Corrections in Aurora, Colorado. Lindsay reported it was an exceptional training, stating, “This better prepared me to facilitate s*x offense-specific dialogues and provided a great opportunity to continue strengthening my victim-centered approach and knowledge when working with victims of s*x crimes.”

Lindsay is pictured with “Flossy,” the trauma dog, and PPOII Carolyn Pauley from District 2.

07/17/2026

We wanted to share an update on several major projects recently completed or underway at the Ottumwa Residential Facility.

First, despite facing numerous obstacles, Division Manager Daryl Lambert successfully secured an approved workaround for a gazebo. It will serve as an outdoor classroom and a gathering space for staff. While a contractor poured the concrete pad, the gazebo itself was built by Lambert, Residential Manager Mike Schakel, and Residential Officer Josh Baker. Thank you for your outstanding work.

Second, we completed a total rework of the men's yard. When the facility was originally expanded in 2012, interior square footage was prioritized over outdoor improvements. The yard is now a functional space where our clients can be active outdoors, and the final result looks great.

Additionally, staff and clients are working on new landscaping, a section of the parking lot was resurfaced, and we have contracted for a reconfigured, and more secure control desk.

Staff and management at ORF developed these ideas and designs, and it is wonderful to see our team take such pride in our facility.

Great work by everyone involved in these updates!

07/16/2026

Swift Action under Pressure: Honoring Our Lifesaving Team 🎖️

Today, District Director Daniel T. Fell honored four incredible team members at the Burlington Residential Facility for their heroic, lifesaving response during a medical emergency on April 30, 2026.

During a routine round, Residential Officer (RO) Rigoberto Rodriguez-Infante found a client unresponsive and in physical distress. Recognizing the urgency, he immediately called for backup and staff contacted 911.

Seconds later, ROs Pre’Osha Waller, Kevin Suchomski, and Residential Manager Chuck Severs rushed to the room. Working seamlessly as a team, they got the client to the floor, assessed his vitals, administered Narcan, and monitored him with an AED. They then safeguarded the client and kept him stable in a recovery position until paramedics arrived and rushed him to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center.

It was later determined that the client was experiencing a life-threatening diabetic emergency (hyperglycemia). Thanks to the staff's rapid, decisive actions, the client made a full recovery.

We are very proud of Rigoberto, Pre’Osha, Kevin, and Chuck for keeping their cool under immense pressure. Please join us in congratulating them! They will also be officially recognized at the DOC’s annual employee recognition awards ceremony later this year. 👏👏

07/08/2026

This afternoon, District Director Daniel T. Fell recognized Residential Officer Josh Baker with the Day In Day Out Performer Award for his outstanding dedication and contributions to the facility.

In his time at ORF, RO Baker has quickly made a positive impact on both clients and fellow staff members. In addition to providing quality service to clients, he has used his extensive maintenance knowledge and troubleshooting skills to help improve the facility’s day-to-day operations.

With a sharp attention to detail and a willingness to take on problems as they arise, RO Baker has helped identify and resolve maintenance issues throughout the facility. These efforts have not only improved facility operations but have also made the jobs of fellow staff members easier.

“Since day one, Josh has truly hit the ground running,” Residential Manager Mike Schakel said. “His dedication, positive attitude, and willingness to go above and beyond have made him a key member of our team.”

The Day In Day Out Performer Award recognizes employees whose consistent dedication, hard work, and commitment make a positive difference in the workplace each day.

Please join us in congratulating him.

Address

1805 West Jefferson
Fairfield, IA
52556

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30am
Tuesday	8am - 4:30am
Wednesday	8am - 4:30am
Thursday	8am - 4:30am
Friday	8am - 4:30am

Telephone

+16414724242

Website

https://doc.iowa.gov/districts-prisons-0/8th-district

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