Together, we can make a difference.

The three bills featured in Operation Redeemed (Who We Are Now) are 1) Lifer review committee for commutation and a process for compassionate release, 2) Raising the age of life with the possibility of parole to include young adults ages 18 to 21, and 3) Changing the mandatory minimum on class B and class C felonies from 70% to 50%. Read below to learn more about each of these bills and how your support will lead to reform within the justice system as well as the opportunity for many individuals to experience full redemption.    

Commutation, the process by which a state's governor can reduce the sentences of those convicted of crimes, is a vital tool in ensuring our justice system remains both fair and adaptive. Commutations serve as a safety valve, allowing for correction in cases where the original sentence no longer serves the interests of justice or the community. Several lifers and long term inmates have received all five votes from the parole board supporting their sentence being commuted however they were still all denied commutation relief from the governor of Iowa. It seems as though the governor is not acting in good faith when it comes to the commutation process. A lifer review committee is greatly needed and would serve as a form of checks and balance. 

The case for commutations: 

1. Corrections of Injustices: Our justice system, while striving for fairness, is not infallible. Commutations can address cases where sentencing was disproportionally harsh, influenced by past laws or practices that we now recognize as unjust. 
2. Overcrowded Prison: Iowa, like many states, face challenges with prison overcrowding. By commuting sentences that are unduly long or no longer necessary for public safety, we can alleviate this burden, reduce costs, and focus on rehabilitating, rather than merely housing inmates. 
3. Rehabilitation and Second Chances: Many individuals in prison have shown remarkable transformation and rehabilitation. Commutations recognize these changes, offering a second chance to those who have demonstrated genuineness and a commitment to being productive members of society. 
4. Families and Communities: Lengthily incarcerations often have devastating effects on families and communities. Commutations can help in reuniting families and restoring individuals to their communities. where they can contribute positively. 

The case for lifer review committee for commutations: 

1. Checks and Balance Within the Commutation Process: The Iowa Board of Parole has granted several lifers' unanimous recommendations for commutation of their sentences, however they were still denied by our governor. When this occurs the lifer review committee would have the power to send the recommendation to a district court judge for a resentencing hearing. This will give the lifer hope that they will be acknowledged and judged on their positive change and rehabilitation. It will also show that there is a successful path for lifers within the commutation process. 

Compassionate release provides a way to release inmates who are terminally ill, elderly, or have other extraordinary health circumstances that make continued incarceration inhumane. This concept is not just about mercy; it's about our collective humanity and the values we uphold as a society. As Iowans, we pride ourselves on our sense of community, fairness, and compassion. It is in this spirit that we propose to advocate for the creation of compassionate release mechanisms in Iowa. 

The need for compassionate release: 

1. Humanitarian Grounds: There are individuals in our prisons who, due to age illness, or disability, no longer pose a threat to society. Keeping them incarcerated under these conditions is not only inhumane but goes against the basic principles of compassion and empathy. 
2. Medical and Elderly Inmates: The cost of providing medical care for elderly and seriously ill inmates is significantly higher than the average cost of incarceration. Compassionate release can reduce these expenses, allowing the state to allocate resources more effectively. 
3. Family and Community Ties: Allowing inmates to spend their final days with loved ones can provide closure and healing for families. It also offers a chance for reconciliation and community integration, however brief it may be. 
4. Overcrowded Prison: Compassionate release can help alleviate the problem of overcrowded prisons, making them safer and more manageable environments for both inmates and staff. 

The introduction of compassionate release in Iowa is not just a legal or political issue, it is a reflection of our values as a society. It is about acknowledging that justice can be tempered with mercy and that even in the realm of law and order, there is room for humanity and compassion. We must advocate for policies that allow for the review of cases where individuals, due to their medical condition or age, no longer need to be incarcerated. Such policies should ensure that decisions are made fairly, transparently, and with due consideration of the individual circumstances. 

While we understand the gravity of crimes that warrant severe sentences, we firmly believe in the power of redemption and the potential for change, particularly in young individuals. The five points below explain why the sentencing of young adults (aged 18-21) to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole is a matter within our justice system that must be addressed. 

1. Development Considerations: Research in neuroscience has shown that the human brain, particularly the frontal lobe which governs judgment and impulse control, continues to mature well into the mid-twenties. Consequently, individuals under 21 are often not fully capable of adult-level decision-making. Recognizing this developmental aspect is crucial in tailoring our justice system to be fair and effective.
2. Potential for Rehabilitation: Young adults have a significant capacity for growth and change. The very essence of our penal system should be rehabilitation, not merely punishment. By offering the possibility of parole, we acknowledge the potential for these young individuals to reform and reintegrate into society as responsible citizens. 
3. Human Rights Perspective: Internationally, there is a growing consensus against the use of life sentences without parole for young adults. Adopting a similar stance would align us with global human rights standards and demonstrate our commitment to a humane and just legal system. 
4. Social Benefits: Providing young offenders with the opportunity to earn parole fosters hope and encourages rehabilitation. This approach not only benefits the individual but also serves a broader societal interest by reintegration of reformed individuals into the community. 
5. Addressing Underlying Issues: Many young adults in the criminal justice system have been failed by societal systems; including education, social services, and mental health care. By offering the possibility of parole, we can shift our focus towards addressing these systemic failures and creating more supportive environments that can prevent future crimes.

Implementing life sentences with the possibility of parole for those aged 18-21 reflects both a compassionate and pragmatic approach to justice. This act would include retroactivity for those incarcerated individuals who committed their crime at the ages of 18-21 and have through their rehabilitation shown themselves worthy of a second chance. 

Mandatory minimum sentences are inflexible sentencing laws that require judges to impose a minimum prison sentence for certain crimes, regardless of the individual's circumstances of the case. These laws have been criticized for their harshness and for their disproportionate impact on minority communities. 

In lowa, the mandatory minimum sentence requirement for felonies is 70%. This means that a person convicted of a felony must serve at least 70% of their sentence before they are eligible for parole. This can result in lengthy prison terms, even for first-time offenders or those who have committed nonviolent offenses. 

We believe that lowering the mandatory minimum sentence requirement to 50% would be a more humane and effective approach to sentencing. This change would give judges more discretion to consider the individual facts of each case and to impose sentences that are more proportionate to the crime committed. It will also give an incarcerated individual who has made positive strides to rehabilitate him/herself an opportunity to reintegrate back into society sooner. 

In addition, lowering the mandatory minimum sentence requirement would help to reduce the prison population in Iowa. This would save taxpayer money and allow us to reallocate resources to more effective crime prevention and rehabilitation programs. 

Supporting this important legislation to lower the mandatory minimum sentence requirement for felonies from 70% to 50% would be a significant step towards a more just and equitable criminal justice system.