Fichtner v. Iowa State Penitentiary

UHLENHOPP, Justice.

In this appeal involving prison disciplinary proceedings we consider the due process principles enunciated in Wolff v. McDonnell, 418 U.S. 539, 94 S.Ct. 2963, 41 L.Ed.2d 935 (1974). See also Baxter v. Palmigiano, 425 U.S. 308, 96 S.Ct. 1551, 47 L.Ed.2d 810 (1976); Kelly v. Brewer, 525 F.2d 394 (8th Cir. 1975). Since fundamental constitutional rights are involved, we review the case de novo in light of the totality of the circumstances. State v. Cullison, 227 N.W.2d 121, 126 (Iowa 1975).

Petitioner John Clair Fichtner was incarcerated at the Iowa Men’s Reformatory and was…