Iowa Code

Iowa Code § 904.505 (2026)

Disciplinary procedures — use of force

✓ current as of July 2026

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1. Inmates who disobey the disciplinary rules of the institution to which they are committed shall be punished by the imposition of the penalties prescribed in the disciplinary rules, according to the following guidelines: a. To ensure that sanctions are imposed only at such times and to such a degree as is necessary to regulate inmate behavior within the limits of the disciplinary rules and to promote a safe and orderly institutional environment. b. To control inmate behavior in an impartial and consistent manner. c. To ensure that disciplinary procedures are fair and that sanctions are not capricious or retaliatory. d. To prevent the commission of offenses through the deterrent effect of the sanctions available. e. To define the elements of each offense and the penalties which may be imposed for violations, in order to give fair warning of prohibited conduct. f. To provide procedures for preparation of reports of disciplinary actions, for conducting disciplinary hearings, and for processing of disciplinary appeals.

2. The superintendent or district director, as applicable, of each institution shall maintain a register of all penalties imposed on inmates and the cause for which the penalties were imposed.

3. A correctional officer of a correctional institution or the officer’s assistant shall, in case an inmate resists the officer’s or assistant’s lawful authority, or refuses to obey the officer’s or assistant’s lawful command, only use such force as is reasonably necessary under all attendant circumstances. The use of a deadly weapon is justified under conditions of extreme necessity and as a last resort to protect the life or safety of a person. The use of a deadly weapon is not justified solely to prevent damage to or destruction of property where\n\nTue Dec 09 21:52:30 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 904 (79, 3) 27 DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, §904.508\n\nthere is no danger to the life or safety of a person. An officer or assistant is justified in using force which causes injury or death to an inmate if the officer’s or assistant’s actions comply with the requirements of this subsection.

4. The disciplinary rules may impose a reasonable administrative fee for the filing of a report of a major disciplinary rule infraction for which an inmate is found guilty. A fee charged pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the general fund of the state. 85 Acts, ch 21, §21 CS85, §246.505 C93, §904.505 2010 Acts, ch 1031, §411; 2024 Acts, ch 1182, §68 \n

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases, 1993–1997 · leading case: Backstrom v. Iowa Dist. Court for Jones Cnty., 508 N.W.2d 705 (Iowa 1993).

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Backstrom v. Iowa Dist. Court for Jones Cnty., 508 N.W.2d 705 (Iowa 1993). · cites it 8× “(c) To ensure that disciplinary procedures are fair and that sanctions are not capricious or retaliatory."). Prison officials rule on hundreds of disciplinary cases every year.”

Harpster v. State, 569 N.W.2d 594 (Iowa 1997). · cites it 4× “See Iowa Code § 904.505 (1993). The statute provides that inmates who violate the rules of their facility “shall be punished by the imposition of the penalties prescribed in the disciplinary rules” of their institution.”

Jones v. State, 545 N.W.2d 313 (Iowa 1996). · cites it 3× “Inmate discipline is now governed by Iowa Code section 904.505 (1995), which provides in pertinent part: “Inmates who disobey the disciplinary rules of the institution to which they are committed shall be punished by the imposition of the penalties prescribed in the disciplinary…”

Smith v. State, 542 N.W.2d 567 (Iowa 1996). · cites it 2× “Thus, Smith may not choose to disobey the order merely because his possession of the medallion was authorized.”

— Iowa Code § 904.505(1) — 1 case

Backstrom v. Iowa Dist. Court for Jones Cnty., 508 N.W.2d 705 (Iowa 1993). “(c) To ensure that disciplinary procedures are fair and that sanctions are not capricious or retaliatory."). Prison officials rule on hundreds of disciplinary cases every year.”

— Iowa Code § 904.505(1)(f) — 1 case

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