Statewide Iowa — The first woman to serve as a warden at an Iowa prison for men has retired. Chris Weitzel spoke during the Board of Corrections meeting last week and reflected on her career that started as a corrections officer.
Weitzel’s last position was as the interim warden at the Fort Dodge prison, and she had also been the warden in Newton and Clarinda. Weitzel says there were many things she liked about the job.
She says the staff doesn’t see the daily impact they make and underestimate their value.
Weitzel says the reality of retirement didn’t hit her until the Board of Corrections approved her replacement.
Weitzel says she looks forward to spending more time with her family and being able to go on vacations without taking along an Ipad. Department of Corrections director, Beth Skinner, says Weitzel has laid a 38-year foundation in corrections that will never be forgotten.
