Questions about Luster Heights

Jessakitty4946 · #1 06-16-2005, 10:36 AM

My husband is talking about getting transferred from Ft Dodge to Luster Heights and I don't know anything about that place. How long are visits? Is it in Harper's Ferry? What is it like-meaning does it look like the other institutions, what classification of institution is it (med, max, minimum). Is it one of the better places for someone to go to? If you know ANYTHING about Luster Heights I would greatly appreciate the info. I looked on the prison profiles and unfortunately there was nothing about Luster Heights. Not only would this be good so that I can get info, but it would build to our database of information about Iowa prisons. If I find anything I will post it here too. Thanks

Jessakitty4946 · #2 06-16-2005, 10:41 AM

This is all I could find on the DOC website:
"Luster Heights Work Camp, housing approximately 50 additional inmates, is located in the Yellow River State Forest in northeast Iowa (Allamakee County) and is a minimum custody satellite of the Reformatory. The facility provides a substance abuse program licensed by the Iowa Department of Public Health. Inmates assigned to this facility work for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and maintain the camp."

JJsGB · #3 06-20-2005, 09:20 PM

I haven't ever heard too much about Luster Heights. My man was in Anamosa, which is the max. From what I've heard, Luster Heights is a very low security prison. It focuses mainly on the programs and getting the men home. I wish you and your husband the best. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Take care.

Still Hoping · #4 06-27-2005, 11:11 PM

My son was at Luster Heights two years ago. It is a camp. Very minimum security. It overlooks the Mississippi River clear up in northeast Iowa (Harpers Ferry). Here was from his some of his letters:

It's not bad up here! Eat good. Play softball, baseball everynight around 6:00 with the bunch of hte buys, so its's not bad.

Treatment up here lasts 16 weeks (they obviously offered treatment).

I eat real good up here."

That's about all he wrote during the 4 months he was there. He got kicked out of the camp for fighting with someone who refused to wash their sheets or take a bath. He was then sent to Anamosa for the last 5 months he was in. I never made the trip to Luster Heights. Didn't have a car I could trust.
He obviously ate well while there. He put on about 20 pounds.

I think there are only 1 or 2 motels up there.