State inspectors have shut down a building that housed mentally retarded men brought from Texas to work at West Liberty Foods.
It was reported that the state investigation focuses on Henry’s Turkey Service, the Texas-based company that has employed dozens of mentally retarded men to work in the meat-processing plant since the 1970s.
In a statement, Gov. Chet Culver called the situation “appalling’’ and the conditions “deplorable,’’ and said he is directing Iowa Workforce Development, the state labor agency, to investigate possible labor law violations.
Most of the 21 men who were ordered from the building are in their 50s and 60s. The plant acted as the men’s employer, landlord and caregiver. For instance, Keith Brown, 57, has lived at the bunkhouse since 1979. Payroll records obtained by the Des Moines Register show that in January, Henry’s Turkey Service took $487 from his earnings to pay for his room and board, then deducted another $572 for “kind care.’’
In addition, Culver said the Department of Elder Affairs will help with guardian issues and the Department of Human Services, along with the Attorney General’s office, will assess the men’s needs and “assure that their rights are fully protected.’’
Full Article and Source:
'An embarrassment to Iowa'
More information:
State probes West Liberty plant that employed mentally retarded
Gov. Culver: Statement on Henry's Turkey Service residence
It was reported that the state investigation focuses on Henry’s Turkey Service, the Texas-based company that has employed dozens of mentally retarded men to work in the meat-processing plant since the 1970s.
In a statement, Gov. Chet Culver called the situation “appalling’’ and the conditions “deplorable,’’ and said he is directing Iowa Workforce Development, the state labor agency, to investigate possible labor law violations.
Most of the 21 men who were ordered from the building are in their 50s and 60s. The plant acted as the men’s employer, landlord and caregiver. For instance, Keith Brown, 57, has lived at the bunkhouse since 1979. Payroll records obtained by the Des Moines Register show that in January, Henry’s Turkey Service took $487 from his earnings to pay for his room and board, then deducted another $572 for “kind care.’’
In addition, Culver said the Department of Elder Affairs will help with guardian issues and the Department of Human Services, along with the Attorney General’s office, will assess the men’s needs and “assure that their rights are fully protected.’’
Full Article and Source:
'An embarrassment to Iowa'
More information:
State probes West Liberty plant that employed mentally retarded
Gov. Culver: Statement on Henry's Turkey Service residence
6 comments:
I THOUGHT LINCOLN FREED THE SLAVES!
This is 2009? I certainly hope some locals follow this.
Where is NAMI, I wonder if they even did a comment.
This is slavery and it is not even supervised.
It reminds of a touching story (only the care was good) at a Catholic hospital in Illinois where I once worked. A retarded chld was born to an unwed mother with no means. The sisters took the infant in the convent and raised her.
As she grew older, she lived in the convent, went to a catholic school and eventually worked in the laundry some. She was paid a $1.00 a week, (remember sisters don't take funds themselves). At an audit, accounting had to explain the 1.00 in weekly payroll expense for this individual.
At the end of a long life, she passed away. Employees still tell stories of a ghost wandering the buildings.
Fast forward to the story on today's blog. Where are the protection agencies?
It always amazes me how low people can sink. Taking advantage and abusing the vulnerable has to be the lowest.
I hope the state is able to prosecute the owners of this Texas company & can't understand how they were able to get away with this kind of barbarism for so many years.
Amazing how this company was able to abuse & swindle these poor people for so long. I hope the state is able to prosecute the owners.
My understanding is that Henry's Turkey Service actually operated in at least six states at one time -- including managing three sites in Iowa alone. The governor has formed a task force to investigate the issue, and care and treatment of adults with intellectual disabilities generally.
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