def is_lock_free(db_conn, lock_name):
    """Check the database if a named lock exists

    Args:
        db_conn (database connection): Open connection object from mysql-connector
        lock_name (str): Name of the lock to check

    Returns:
        lock_free (bool): True if free otherwise False.
    """
    cursor = db_conn.cursor()
    cursor.execute(f"SELECT IS_FREE_LOCK('{lock_name}')")
    lock_status = cursor.fetchone()
    if 1 in lock_status:
        # Lock is released
        return True
    # Lock in place
    return False