Newton Correctional to get new warden, deputy warden

Two longtime state employees celebrated the end of their careers at a casual event held Friday at the Newton Correctional Facility — surrounded by friends and family from many eras.

Warden Terry Mapes and deputy warden Jill Dursky both recently announced their retirements, which were effective at the end of business Monday. Both told the Newton Daily News it was simply time to retire and there was nothing happening in the department that accelerated their retirements, and Friday was a lighthearted event typical for anyone who has worked for a state agency for decades.

Mapes served with the Iowa Department of Corrections for 38 years and Dursky for 27. The cakes made to honor them featured some department humor and included Mapes’ 1977 date of hire.

Dursky’s daughter, Taylor, attended the event, as did Mapes’ children and many current or former corrections employees — many of whom they hadn’t seen in a long while. Sen. Chaz Allen and representatives of the Iowa Attorneys General office also attended the event, held in a conference and office area at the medium-security site of the facility.

Mapes’ career began in Fort Madison, where he spent 19 years. There, he made many friends, including Kevin Selters, a good friend who came to Newton on Friday. The two hugged, commiserated about health concerns they’ve experienced in their 50s, and ribbed each other about old times.

Selters retold stories that illustrate the dangers corrections officers face on a regular basis. In one incident many years ago, Selters said, inmates attempted to throw Mapes over a third-story railing onto potentially fatal perils below, but he held on to the railing while being assaulted.

“He took a beating,” Selters said. “That happens sometimes. Terry devoted his whole career to making sure things like that didn’t happen. He’s very dedicated.”

Mapes, 58, has three grown children — one of whom is Jasper County Animal Rescue League Facility Manager Cori Mapes. Another is finishing the last year of college. He said his family and their future was his primary motivation for deciding to retire this year.

“I’ve been retirement-eligible for about three years,” Mapes said. “I told the Department of Corrections about a year ago that I would stay on during the transition (from former director John Baldwin and other staff to the current leadership of director Jerry Bartruff) until they could get a few things off their plate.”

Dursky couldn’t be reached for comment Monday.

“They’ve been encouraging her to retire for a long time,” Mapes said.

Contact Jason W. Brooks
at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532
or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com