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DHS releases internal emails about Glenwood Resource Center

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the state-run facility for people with disabilities following allegations of human experimentation.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Human Services released a batch of emails Monday relating to Glenwood Resource Center, a state-run facility for people with disabilities. 

In November 2019, U.S. Department of Justice informed Iowa they're conducting an investigation of Glenwood Resource Center related to optimal hydration experiments and sexual arousal studies.

One of the emails included a description of a sexual arousal study for "individuals with an intellectual disability who have committed sexual offenses." The slide show said that the goal of the study was to alter the way people react to situations they are in by limiting sexual desires.

One method includes using a portable penile-plethysmograph, which measures bloodflow to the penis. Medications were also involved.

Another email included in the documents obtained by Local 5 include an email sent by a Glenwood administrator in Feb. 2018 to former DHS director Jerry Foxhoven.

The director of quality management at the center, Katherine Rall, told Foxhoven, "I soon began to realize that I was just the first of many that are being removed that have objected to Mr. Rea's return to antiquated and dangerous techniques for working with clients." 

Once Iowa DHS Director Kelly Garcia found out about the federal investigation, she too opened an investigation. 

Garcia fired Glenwood Resource Center Director Jerry Rea on Dec. 30, 2019. 

RELATED: Feds investigating possible human experimentation at facility for people with disabilities

“This action is being taken as a result of a mounting list of disregard for policies and procedures," said Rick Shults, division administrator for Mental Health and Disability Services in a termination letter.

RELATED: Lawsuit: Taxpayer money used to buy lubricants, porn and silk boxer shorts at Glenwood Resource Center 

RELATED: Feds investigate alleged sex study conducted at facility for people with disabilities

Stay with Local 5 for continued coverage of this developing story.

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