IPI Operational Updates

This page will be used to post status updates due to COVID-19 or other situations that affect our shops.

09-13-2022 UPDATE

IPI is pleased to announce that we have re-opened our filters operation in the Anamosa Housekeeping & Laundry shop.

The filters operation had been closed since March 2021 due to supply chain and security issues. The filters operation has since moved to a new location within our Anamosa shops to allow for greater capacity and efficiencies in production along with providing a safe and secure working environment.

Orders for standard pleated filters and polyester rolls and pads can be placed on the IPI website. Quotes for non-standard sizes or other types of filters can be obtained from Customer Service at 800-332-7922.

08-10-2022 UPDATE

IPI is pleased to announce that we have resumed screen printing of signs in our Sign Shop.

Since early April (see 04-13-2022 update below), IPI has been using alternative production methods or procuring screened signs from partner Correctional Industries in neighboring states in order to fulfill customer orders.

We expect to receive the final deliveries of outsourced MUTCD signs within the next couple of weeks and are currently transitioning other orders back to our screen area. Orders may continue to be have extended lead times while we work through our backlog, but we look forward to our lead times on new orders returning to a normal level by the end of the month.

We have appreciated your patience and support as we worked through this difficult situation these past few months. We remain dedicated to fulfilling your sign needs now and in the future.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your Customer Service representative at 800-332-7922.

06-01-2022 UPDATE

After much consideration, IPI has made the decision to cease all furniture operations effective July 1, 2022. This applies to all furniture lines including desks and office systems, seating, filing, school furniture, and tables.

Orders placed before this date will continue to be fulfilled through our Mitchellville operation.

After July 1, 2022, the only orders we will accept are for the liquidation of our existing inventory. We will have inventory items listed on our website starting June 6, 2022. All inventory liquidation sales will be final.

IPI’s mission to train Iowa’s incarcerated men and women with valuable job skills remains unchanged. Our other operations across the State remain solid with strategic plans in place to ensure program stability, enhance our work training opportunities, and improve our products and services for our customers.

We thank you for your support of our valuable training programs and look forward to serving you in the future with our remaining products and services. Please visit our website at www.iaprAn important update regarding IPI's furniture operationsisonind.com for our full offering.

If you have any questions, please contact our sales or customer service team at 800-332-7922.

04-13-2022 UPDATE

On Monday, April 4th, IPI was forced to halt the screen printing of signs in our Sign Shop due to safety concerns with the inks used in that operation.

This affects many orders that we have in-house such as MUTCD signs, street / residence markers, and custom signs that are screen printed. Digitally printed signs are not affected.

The Sign Shop remains open, and will continue to remain open, although our capabilities are temporarily limited. To fill our current orders and continue fulfilling your sign needs while the screen print operation is closed, IPI will be:

• Procuring MUTCD signs from our partner Correctional Industries in neighboring states
• Changing as many non-MUTCD signs to be digitally printed or using an alternate production method in-house that will meet the reflectivity needs of the original order
• Outsourcing other signs from our partner Correctional Industries as needed

Staff is currently reviewing existing orders individually to determine the best course of action for each order. Customer Service will be in touch with customers as the path on each order is determined. We expect this to take upwards of a week to get through all of our open orders. Unfortunately, lead times may be extended on most existing orders.

During this time, you may still place new orders, but they will be held until we are finished reviewing the existing orders.

We appreciate your patience as we work through this difficult situation. We remain dedicated to fulfilling your sign needs now and in the future. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Customer Service representative.

03-14-2022 UPDATE

All IPI shops are running at full capacity with the following exceptions:

• Anamosa Filters: remains closed but work is progressing to reopen in the coming months
• Fort Madison Textiles: training is underway on jeans production, orders will start being accepted in the next month

IPI is experiencing the supply chain challenges similar to most manufacturers at this time, which may cause delays in production. We are informing customers of delays on orders whenever possible, but customers can contact their sales or customer service representatives with any questions.

11-01-2021 UPDATE

IPI continues to increase production capacity in previously affected operations (see previous updates below); however, we continue to experience longer lead times in those shops than normal. Additionally, we are experiencing the same supply chain challenges that nearly every industry is having, which may also cause delays in production.

As always, feel free to reach out to your sales or customer service representatives with any questions on your existing or upcoming orders.

10-01-2021 UPDATE

Production capacity is slowly increasing in the Anamosa shops previously identified as open but limited (see 09-01-2021 update for details). Work is in progress to implement new security measures that will allow us to further expand our hours, associates, and training opportunities at Anamosa while increasing production capacity. We appreciate your patience during this process. 

The status of all other IPI locations remain the same as the 09-01-2021 update.

Please contact your sales or customer service representative at 800-332-7922 with any questions. 

09-01-2021 UPDATE

IPI would like to thank all of our customers for your support during the past few months. Many changes are taking place throughout all of our locations to ensure the safety of IPI and DOC staff and the incarcerated men and women under our supervision.

The following summarizes the current status of all of our operations by location.

Anamosa: Shops at the Anamosa State Penitentiary are operating with limited hours and associates.

• Sign: New orders and requests for custom layouts are being accepted, but capacity is still limited and lead times may be longer than normal.
  
• Print / Graphic Arts: A limited number of new orders are now being accepted; orders must include press ready artwork or be reprints of previous orders. Lead times may be extended.
• Filters: This shop remains closed but is expected to reopen after additional security measures are in place.
• Wood & Metal Furniture: These shops have been closed.
  
• License Plates, Housekeeping & Laundry, and Braille: Operating at near normal capacity.

Mitchellville: The operations at Mitchellville are operating as normal; this includes Textiles, Panels & Seating, and Plastics. Additional furniture lines are being added to Panels & Seating in the near future.

Fort Madison: The Wood Furniture operation at Fort Madison is being closed indefinitely. A Textiles operation will be opening at this location in the coming months.

Fort Dodge: Production capacity in the Textiles shop at Fort Dodge is increasing although orders may still be delayed.

Rockwell City: The welding shop at Rockwell City is at normal capacity, but many products are unavailable at this time due to parts being supplied by the now closed Metal Furniture shop.

Questions regarding product availability and lead times can be directed to IPI’s Sales & Customer Service Representatives at 800-332-7922.

08-06-2021 UPDATE

At this time, IPI’s Wood & Metal Furniture programs at both the Anamosa State Penitentiary and the Iowa State Penitentiary have been closed indefinitely. IPI is working diligently to move production of some products and introduce new furniture options using our Mitchellville location. The website is up-to-date with available products; please contact your Sales or Customer Service Representative with any questions on our capabilities.

Due to ongoing security issues at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility, orders for textiles produced at this location may be delayed. We continue to work with the Department of Corrections on this issue and hope to be able to resume normal production in the near future.

The following details the status of the other IPI shops located at Anamosa:

• Sign: Limited production has started on orders already in our system in March. A limited number of new orders are being filled through Wisconsin's correctional industries program. Additionally, we may be able to fill post and hardware orders for in-stock items. Web ordering of these items remains disabled due to limited capacity; orders should be placed with your customer service representative.
  
• Print / Graphic Arts: Production capacity is increasing but is still extremely limited, please contact your customer service representative to discuss your needs.
  
• Filters: The filters shop remains closed, and no orders are being accepted. IPI is working to resume production in this shop in the near future.

IPI appreciates your continued understanding and support of our program as we work through the changes necessary to ensure the safety of IPI and DOC staff and the incarcerated men and women under our supervision.

07-01-2021 UPDATE
from Bob Fairfax, Director of Sales & Marketing

The IPI shops listed previously as closed at the Anamosa State Penitentiary and Iowa State Penitentiary continue to remain closed, but please review the following for specific details:

• Sign: IPI is now able to fulfill a limited number of orders through Wisconsin's correctional industries program. Additionally, we may be able to fill post and hardware orders for in-stock items. Web ordering of these items remains disabled due to limited capacity; orders should be placed with your customer service representative.
  
• Print / Graphic Arts: Production capacity is extremely limited at this time, please contact your customer service representative to discuss your needs.
  
• Filters: The filters shop remains closed, and no orders are being accepted.
  
• Wood & Metal Furniture: These shops remain closed at this time, and no new orders are being accepted. IPI is shifting production of some products to other facilities as well as working to introduce new furniture options at other facilities. The website will be updated as products are available to order. 

Additionally, the Fort Dodge Textiles shop is operating at limited production capacity at this time, and some orders may be delayed. Please contact your customer service representative with questions.

Please contact IPI at 800-332-7922 with any questions that you might have.

We appreciate your continued patience and understanding.

05-03-2021 UPDATE
from Bob Fairfax, Director of Sales & Marketing

The IPI shops listed previously as closed at the Anamosa State Penitentiary and Iowa State Penitentiary continue to remain closed; this includes Sign, Metal Furniture, Wood Furniture, and Air Filters. At this time, the length of these shop closures remains unknown.

IPI sales and customer service representatives will continue to contact customers to review affected orders and requests. Please contact IPI at 800-332-7922 with any questions that you might have.

We appreciate your continued patience and understanding.

04-05-2021 UPDATE
from Bob Fairfax, Director of Sales & Marketing

The IPI shops located at the Anamosa State Penitentiary and Iowa State Penitentiary have been closed since the tragic loss of life at the Anamosa prison on Tuesday, March 23rd. Both prisons have remained on restricted movement since the incident while the Iowa Department of Corrections and IPI continue reviewing safety policies and procedures.

While the IPI shops are without incarcerated associates, IPI staff is only able to complete a limited number of essential customer orders. It is our expectation that nearly all orders currently in the affected shops will be delayed until the incarcerated associates are allowed to return to their work assignments.

Shops currently closed and not accepting new orders / requests:

• Sign
• Metal Furniture
• Wood Furniture (both Anamosa and Fort Madison locations)
  
• Filters
  

Shops operating with limited production capacity:

• Housekeeping / Laundry
• Print / Graphic Arts
• Braille
• License Plates

IPI shops located at the Mitchellville and Fort Dodge locations are expected to remain open although production may be limited; this includes our Textiles, Panels, Seating, and Plastic Bag operations.

At this time, it is unknown how long the restrictions will be in place. Our priority is ensuring the safety of the public, our employees, and the incarcerated individuals in Iowa’s prisons. We expect the return to work to occur gradually, again to ensure the safety of all involved.

IPI sales and customer service representatives will be directly contacting customers with affected orders as quickly as possible. In the meantime, feel free to contact IPI at 800-332-7922 with any questions that you have.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.