(Newton, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections, said today (Tuesday), an inmate from the Newton Correctional Release Center that was on escape status was apprehended by law enforcement, Monday, and is in the process of being returned to the custody of the Iowa Department of Corrections. Inmate Jermichael Jim Wells walked away from his private sector worksite on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 and was placed on escape status once it was discovered that he had absconded.

Law enforcement from the Minnesota Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit arrested Wells near Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. He is currently in the process of being returned to the custody of the Iowa Department of Corrections.

The department would like to extend its thanks to the many partners in law enforcement that assisted in the apprehension of this individual. This includes law enforcement from the Jasper County and Iowa County Sheriff’s Department, the Iowa Department of Public Safety, the Iowa Department of Corrections 6th District Fugitive Apprehension Unit, the Iowa Department of Corrections 8th District Fugitive Apprehension Unit, and the Minnesota Department of Corrections Fugitive Apprehension Unit.