26FC:0064 Heather Duncan-Detrick v. Iowa Department of Corrections - Dismissal Order

The Iowa Public Information Board

COMES NOW, Charlotte Miller, Executive Director for the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), and enters this Dismissal Order:

On March 3, 2026, Heather Duncan-Detrick (Complainant) filed formal complaint 26FC:0064, alleging that the Iowa Department of Corrections (Respondent) violated Iowa Code Chapter 22.

Facts

On March 3, 2026, Complainant submitted a brief formal complaint against Respondent, alleging that she had been denied investigation documents for an upcoming DIAL hearing in May. No additional details were provided.

IPIB staff promptly acknowledged receipt of the complaint for facial review. On March 11, 2026, staff sought additional clarification about the nature of the records sought and Respondent’s denial, as it appeared the request for investigative file materials might be based on other law, rather than the general access provisions of Chapter 22 available to the public at large. However, IPIB staff have been unable to reestablish contact with Complainant at any point since the filing, despite multiple additional attempts to do so by email and phone.

Analysis

Because Complainant has not been in contact with IPIB since the filing of this complaint, there is insufficient information to determine whether Respondent’s failure to release the investigation file could present a potential violation of Chapter 22. From what is available in the complaint description, it appears likely Complainant was seeking access to records within the context of an administrative hearing, rather than pursuing a general Chapter 22 request. If this were the case, special access based on Complainant’s relationship to the investigation or role in the upcoming hearing would be beyond IPIB’s statutory jurisdiction.

Without the opportunity to clarify the allegations with Complainant, IPIB is unable to complete its facial review. It appears the matter has been abandoned.

Conclusion

Iowa Code § 23.8 requires that a complaint be within the IPIB’s jurisdiction, appear legally sufficient, and have merit before the IPIB accepts a complaint. Following a review of the allegations on their face, it is found that this complaint does not meet those requirements.

Complainant has constructively abandoned the case, and IPIB has been unable to seek clarification on the allegations to determine whether they could have merit as a result.

IT IS SO ORDERED:  Formal complaint 26FC:0064 is dismissed as it is without merit and has been constructively abandoned pursuant to Iowa Code § 23.8(2) and Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(2)(b).

Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(3), the IPIB may “delegate acceptance or dismissal of a complaint to the executive director, subject to review by the board.”  The IPIB will review this Order on April 16, 2026.  Pursuant to IPIB rule 497-2.1(4), the parties will be notified in writing of its decision.

By the IPIB Executive Director,

_________________________

Charlotte J.M. Miller, J.D.

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

This document was sent on April 8, 2026, to:

Heather Duncan-Detrick, Complainant