Meeting Public Comments

RHONDA MCCABE []

As a CASA, I have written as well as reviewed many documents. I've read accusations and I've read confirmations and yet, inaccuracies continue to plague our Courts on both. One of the biggest achievements in my CASA career is when I see the parent(s) working diligently to make a wrong mistake right. I see them taking parenting classes; I see them going through AA and NA classes; I see them separating themselves from toxic family members; I see them changing jobs so that they can accommodate the return of their child(ren); and I see them change before my very eyes and truly appreciate the opportunity that is given to them through DHS as well as a CASA Advocate to do so.As I review Bill HF377, I can't help but reflect on my CASA experiences. This Bill states in part, "This bill provides a realistic, intensive look into the rehabilitation of people currently serving Life With Out Parole sentences in Iowa upon their application for commutation. This bill allows for a committee, selected for their knowledge in areas of human behavior, prison behavior, work ethic, values and compassion, social appropriateness, ability to take directions, respect for authority, family/social ties and support, and overall character qualities, to do deep research into the inmates behavior, treatment accomplishments, psychological attitudes and changes, mental health issues, social appropriate values and his/her ability to be selfsupporting should s/he be grated commutation."Just as I witness parent(s) working diligently to regain their child(ren), I also know that those currently serving Life Without Parole sentences are doing the same to regain their independence. When is it time for them to reintroduce themselves as a rehabilitated inmate? Now is that time. I support this bill.

Angie S. []

I am writing in support of Lifer Commutation Review. I am the daughter in law of a former corrections facility guard and have heard first hand how difficult it is for lifers' sentences to be commutated. The current system of allowing parole applications every ten years leaves inmates who have been rehabilitated and ready to contribute positively in their community waiting longer than necessary to begin their next steps. Families who are managing the loss of financial as well as emotional support could be eased of this burden in a more timely manner. The child who has to wait 10 years years to have the opportunity of parental involvement is a motherless or fatherless child. The hope that 3 years versus 10 years brings an inmate could be the motivation to become the best versions of themselves as soon as possible. I believe the parole system is there to do their job and determine if an inmate is fit for commutation. Please let's give these inmates greater opportunity to let the prison system work for them. Please let's aim toward some relief to the prison system that is over crowded and so costly to maintain.

Mary Stevens []

Thank you for sincerely pondering bill HF377 . I urge you to vote in favor of this bill. I have 3 nephews and a niece adopted from Lithuania who spent their early years of life in a dysfunctional home and orphanage. My sister and her husband adopted these children, all from the same parents, when they were age ll down to age 4. I have heard their stories. They have spent much time on counseling and helping these children to be the best citizens they can be. The youngest boy, now about 25, has been in jail a number of times. I have heard of his set backs but I see him trying to achieve.Having a normal, loving childhood, its hard for me, and perhaps most of us, to fathom the pain these children have in their past. But I have seen what a loving approach can do for troubled kids. Time is a healer. After 25 in prison, I think there should be a review of a convicted person. Who of us has not had a change of heart in 25 years? Time changes things. Please, let us give these lifers who have had good behavior over 25 years, another lookThank you for your time

Deacon Dan Goebel []

Thank you for sincerely considering bill HF377. I urge you to vote in favor of this bill. I believe there is a process set up to evaluate criminals who have served a just sentence and have turned their life around. Those who have done so and are truly sorry can be/have been tremendous witnesses in the public eye. Thank you for your consideration!

Deb Schmidt [Business leader]

I feel like this bill gives the the top lifers a chance to half a 2nd chsnce.We own 3 business and pay a lot of taxes. I would like to see a reformed prisoner pay taxes. We have been involved with 2 lifers and 1 lives in Garner now and has his own business.

Tim Diesburg [Retired Iowa Department of Corrections]

I am in favor of this bill. I worked at the Anamosa State Penitentiary as a correctional officer for 6 1/2 years and an Iowa Prison Industries trainer/supervisor for over 27 years, and 3 years as the Iowa Department of Corrections Registered Apprenticeship Coordinator. I worked with many lifers throughout the years. During that time I worked with them 8 hours a day 5 days a week for many years. I had the unique opportunity to see many people doing life grow up from young kids to mature adults. Many gaining their Registered Apprenticeship Journeyman, gain higher education such as, college degrees including masters degrees and PHD. This bill releases no one, but rather gives the commutation process better structure and step by step procedures to follow. This bill is an excellent tool that gives the decision makers important information that is well investigated and well documented.In final it is the right ethical thing to do and adds that important layer for victims/families rights, offenders, and the public to insure we are releasing the right people.

Faye Geiman [Retired]

My son was incarcerated for 18 years. He lived with a lot of lifers. He is now out in the general public and paying taxes. He was very much reformed in prison. He found out that the Lord loves him unconditionally and was very sorry for his crime. While in prison he met a lot of lifers and seen how there life was very much reformed since they were put in prison. They were a great example and a model to be the man he is today. I believe our system is broken. I do not believe in the death penalty but I do believe in a 2nd chance for the lifers that can show they are a model citizen. I hope this bill improves the criminal justice system. I do not believe that Life means life!!!!

Donna Thompson []

I am asking you to vote for HR377. I have a dear friend who is a lifer and been incarcerated for 30 years. In those 30 years he has made a lot of changes in his lifer. I feel this bill would be giving lifers without parole a real chance. I pray that you would seriously consider this bill. Thank you for your time. I have faith and confidence in your decision. God Bless You

Brian Carter [United Methodist Iowa Annual Conference]

I am Rev. Brian Carter, retired pastor and Team Leader for the Legislative Advocacy Team of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. We a, as re declared IN FAVOR OF HF377. The United Methodist Church is guided by THE SOCIAL PRINCIPLES approved by the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, a world wide Christian denomination of 14 million members. We are led by these Social Principles Paragraph 164.H Criminal and Restorative Justice as follows:In the love of Christ, who came to save those who are lost and vulnerable, we urge the creation of a genuinely ew system for the care and restoration of victims, offenders, criminal justice officials, and the community as a whole. Restorative justice grows out of biblical authority, which emphasizes a right relationship with God, self, and community. When such relationships are violated or broken through crime, opportunities are created to make things right.Most criminal justice systems around the world are retributive. These retributive justice systems profess to hold the offender accountable to the state and use punishment as the equalizing tool for accountability. In contrast, restorative justice seeks to hold the offender accountable to the victimized . , and to the disrupted community. Through God's transforming power, restorative justice seeks to repair the damage, right the wrong, and bring healing to all involved, including the victim, the offender, the families, and the community. In the case of offenders serving life sentences without parole, the only way restorative justice may restore relationships, is if the offender is given an opportunity to be paroled. Then he or she may seek the full restoration which is life affirming, receive forgiveness, offer to right the wrong committed, and seek reconciliation with the victims. It is recognizing that through God people are changed and become saved as new people. It recognizes the God given value of every person even those who committed terrible crimes.

Wayne Herman [Bethel Baptist Church]

Wayne H.I wholeheartedly support HF377 because it is a step in the right direction. I only wish that the time were 70% of the twenty five years rather than the full twenty five. I am very familiar with two lifers in Iowa. I feel rather strongly that the state provides very minimal attorney representation for those accused of serious felonies. The result is that we have some incarcerated for life because of overly aggressive prosecution along with very poor representation. One lifer I know very well since he was my student years ago. We communicate very often. In fact, I received a letter from him today. If he were to have the opportunity to visit our home I would not even consider moving the gun we have. Both his former pastor and a law enforcement officer told me that they could not say they would have acted differently had they been in his situation. His attorney at the time of the trial called all of us who were to be witnesses the night before we were to appear. Only the accused would take the stand he told us. But the next morning the attorney told the accused that it was not in his interest to take the stand. When the judge indicated that the Defense should present its case the attorney said that the defense rests. With no defense at all the accused was sentenced to life without parole within two hours of deliberation. To me that is injustice not justice. But we, as taxpayers, will pay for him to be in prison until he dies unless there are radical changes in our so called system of justice. Please pass HF377 but also consider amending it to 70 percent of 25 years.

Ashley Anderson [Paws & Effect]

My name is Ashley and I am the Lead Service Dog Trainer for Paws & Effect. We have been working with one of the correctional facilities here in Iowa for almost 6 years now. The inmates, specifically lifers, raise and train our purposebred Labradors. I am in favor of HF377 as I have worked alongside of those incarcerated with life sentences and have seen the amazing work they have done, the knowledge they have gained and the copious amount of volunteer work they have given back to the community. I believe everyone deserves a second chance and this bill would offer it to those who truly do deserve it. Please vote in favor of HF377.

Loretta Wilkins [Feeding the homeless and Seniors]

I believe that all people deserve a second chance. My son went to prison at 18. He was arrested at 17 as a person of interest. He was held until he was 18, a month and 4 days later and given Life without possibility of parole. At that time he was under the influence of older people. He is a difference person now. He has given His Life to the Lord. He is featured in the book Bleak Walls Bright Minds. Please sign this Bill for my son Omar Wilkins and others who deserve a second chance. Thank you

Myra Wagehoft []

I have listen to a lot of information with regard to lifers. I have had the opportunity to read Bleak Walls, Bright Minds. The introduction to lifers and there very limited possibility for commutation was eye opening and thought provoking. I ask that the committee continue the bill that offers lifers a second chance for a review of their status under the terms of this new bill.

Bud Theus [Tha Chicken Trap]

Honestly I feel some lifers without parole do deserve a second chance especially the ones that was convicted of a crime as a teenager its funny how on one hand as a society we say a person is to young to drink even smoke but on the other hand we can say he you or old enough to get a life sentence without the possibility of parole so if you saying a teen mind is to young to make a sound judgment in putting toxins into the body that teen I also should be considered to young to have made a detrimental decision that can take they life and freedom away in one moment. So I feel lifers should have a chance to demonstrate a change within themselves a maturity for the lack of a better word showing that we all make stupid mistakes and decisions and they all varies and most of the time we all enjoy the luxury of three words A Second Chance so why not lifers as well Thank You for your time.

Lee Schott []

I am in favor of HF377 because I have seen the character and behavior of many lifers who merit a real chance at life beyond prison. Life without parole in Iowa has always included the possibility of commutation, but in recent years the "safety valve" that commutation was intended to offer has been broken. This bill offers minimum custody status lifers who have served at least 25 years a process that will make commutation a real possibility. It creates timelines and an indepth examination of their circumstances before and after their incarceration, focused on justice, rehabilitation, and real assessment of risks and opportunities. It's time to end the punitive "throw away the key" mentality toward these human beings. We call it a correctional system because we believe in positive, meaningful change. Please vote in favor of HF377.

Maya Ben-Shahar []

I am a social work student and filmmaker, and I have been coproducing a documentary JustUs, awarded $25,000 by the Iowa Dep. of Cultural Affair's Greenlight Grant. We look at the "success stories" people who have spent a long time in prison for serious crimes, and yet who are contributing positively to their communities and using their experiences to prevent others from going to prison. Making this movie has been like doing ontheground research on what works and what doesn't when it comes to rehabilitation and reentry. And time and time again I hear that lifers are the ones who mentor, support, and heal other prisoners to the point where they can reenter successfully. My coproducer, Ced Theus, is one of these men, and over the years of our friendship I have seen how illogical it is to expend state resources keeping him incarcerated it is not only unjust and unneccessary, but actually counterproductive from a public safety perspective, since if free he would have a positive, farreaching impact in his family and community. Sentence commutation would have been a realistic option for him in a less polarized society, but we all know that politics leave the governor virtually immobilized on that front. I believe that creating a Lifer Review Board is a smart, bipartisan way to save resources and strengthen communities hardesthit by incarceration.

Brittany Poss []

Thank you in advance for your consideration of this bill. I believe that in order to be better, you have to do better. Where is the motivation when there is no hope for redemption as a person is sentenced life without parole? Law abiding citizens in good conscience have a moral and ethical obligation not to incarcerate beyond reasonable punishment. My hope is that this bill can change the mindset that a prison can be more than incarceration, rather a place for rehabilitation. As we evolve as a nation, so should our standards of decency. A person who is no longer the man or women who entered prison should have a second chance to rejoin society as the person they have worked hard to become.

Rev.Beth Harbaugh [United Methodist Church]

If Bill HF 377 is passed it will allow people who have done terrible things to become healers through their witness of how they have learned another way. New life is available to all through GRACE. Let us all move toward this light together, with amazing possibilities.

Amiela Canin []

The Iowa Lifer Review Bill can give a second chance to reformed individuals who have proven themselves ready to return to society. Many of these people committed crimes when they were very young. They've served decades in prison, and they have worked incredibly hard to reform themselves. They've studied and prayed. Many of them have become mentors to other prisoners. They and their loved ones deserve another chance to make a life together, and after a process of careful scrutiny the Lifer Review Board can give them that chance.The Lifer Review Bill is also a great opportunity to show that Iowa Republicans and Democrats can work together on humane, bipartisan legislation.Therefore, I urge you in the strongest possible terms to make sure this bill gets a full hearing on the floor of the Iowa House of Representatives.

paul spence [Snow Angels]

To whom it may concern: I am writing about bill HF 377. When I think of reform in our prison system, I think of the hopeless and these are lifers without parole. This bill looks at an individual after serving 25 years and what they have done or not done while incarcerated. I believe it merits sentencing reform guidelines, in my mind. I would hope you will move to advance this type of reform. Not all lifers are qualified for this action. Many lifers have changed and it shows through the work they have accomplished while being locked up, with the knowledge they will not be released. They have chosen the better part of the life they now serve. If this does not show more to their character than their crime, then reform is just another word. Thank you, Paul P. Spence

Abby Chahine []

The Iowa Law is very behind when it comes to lifers getting a second chance, my dad Ed Nassif is one that has changed over the years and has done so much to get a second chance. If you go talk to these lifers you will see many are not the same as they used to be 25 30 years ago. This is not just a sentence for me its a sentence for my mom, brothers, and family members. The brain is not fully developed till 25 backed by many Doctors. Iowa needs to change like other states giving second chances for lifers. Please change the Iowa Bill and go talk to those lifers who would do good on the streets, some better then what are on the streets walking around. Thank you and I hope you will consider changing how the prison can change for our loved ones like my dad ED Nassif.

Blair Greiman [Greiman Custom Woodworking]

I would like to encourage lawmakers to consider this bill. After serving 35 years of a life sentence, I was released because of changes in the laws regarding juvenile life sentences. We underwent a thorough vetting process to insure that we were fit for release. I would encourage the legislature to consider extending this process to at least some of the nonjuvenile lifers. Though not juveniles at the time of their crimes, many were quite young and some have matured over the course of several decades of incarceration into decent people who are sorry for the mistakes of their youth, have learned to care about the people around them and make positive contributions to their prison communities daily.Since my release in 2017, my hometown of Garner has been very good to me and I am so grateful for the opportunity to live and work and finish my life here rather than prison. I know many other lifers who would embrace such a second chance with similar gratitude and live accordingly.Thank you, Blair Greiman

Laura Oliver []

I write to urge you to support HF377. Offering the hope of commutation and restoration is a stronger incentive for rehabilitation than shutting the door on a persons life.

Paul Witmer [United Methodist Church]

I support this bill and the work of this group that has the best interests of all Iowans in mind, assist to the parole board and justice for incarcerated people. It is worth consideration and eventual pass.