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Marsy’s Law for Iowa Urges Victim Notification Prior to Inmate Release

DES MOINES, Iowa (March 26, 2020) — As Iowa’s law enforcement community and prosecutors wrestle with decisions to release convicted criminals in order to deter the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa, Marsy’s Law for Iowa is offering a reminder to notify crime victims of an inmate’s release.

“We’re grateful for the lengths that law enforcement from across the state are going to in order to keep our communities safe during this pandemic,” said Eric Baker of Marsy’s Law for Iowa. “We also recognize that during these stressful times, it’s more important than ever for victims to be informed on the status of their offender. Their safety depends on it.”

As the Coronavirus continues to spread, states across the country are looking for ways to decrease the prison population. In fact, recent news accounts in Iowa have detailed jails and prisons considerations for releasing criminals.

Currently, Iowa crime victims are not provided enforceable rights in the state’s constitution.  Marsy’s Law for Iowa, a grassroots organization that has been advocating for a crime victims’ rights amendment, points to the fact COVID-19 in Iowa has illustrated why statutory rights are no longer good enough for crime victims.

“If you have been the victim of a non-violent crime, you should reach out to your county attorney if you do not want your offender released,” said Reuben Neff, Wapello County attorney and Marsy’s Law for Iowa supporter. “It’s incredibly frustrating that Iowa crime victims don’t currently have constitutional protections, but this is an action you can take right now to make sure your voice is heard.”

For County Attorney contact information visit the Iowa County Attorneys Association’s website.

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We're launching a new series - Tales from the Road - to give you insights into what our team is doing when they're out traveling the state of Iowa. We hear from locally elected officials, victim survivors, law enforcement and everyday Iowans who are concerned with the lack of constitutional rights for Iowa crime victims. We'll keep going the distance for crime victims' rights. We're glad to have you along for the ride.

For 20 years, I have been involved in law enforcement, where each and every day I work with folks in our community who are victims of crime. No one asks to become a victim, and it can happen to anyone at any time. 

Once a person is thrown into the system as a crime victim their lives are turned upside down. This is not just because of the horrific act that happened to them, but also the subsequent process they endure as they try to navigate our criminal justice system. This system inherently favors the accused and victims are constantly being forgotten. We must do what we can to make sure Iowans who become victims of crime are given a voice in the process, that they are not forgotten. 

During this legislative session, our elected officials in Des Moines should pass a victims’ rights amendment to our state constitution. Every day, I see the pain and suffering victims go through and I want to do everything I can to make sure their rights are enshrined in our constitution. 

The accused has rights and it’s time to give rights to the victims. The right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect; the right to notification of the status of the offender; the right to be read these rights, are all vitally important to ensuring our legal justice system works better for crime victims. 

Victims deserve fairness in our system and legislators must pass this today.

Shawn Armstrong

Bloomfield Police Chief

We're hitting the road again, reaching out to Iowans in more communities all across the state. Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be in Osage, Decorah, Dyersville and then on to Humboldt, Pocahontas and Sioux City. 

We'd love for you to join us for a free event to learn more about our statewide effort to elevate crime victims’ rights to the Iowa constitution. These events will give community members the opportunity to learn more about the movement to guarantee victims constitutional rights, what it takes to amend Iowa’s constitution, and to get involved. 

If you cannot make it to our event in your community but are interested in learning more, please feel free to reach out to Sydney at [email protected] or 712-541-2718. 

Iowa’s victims’ rights amendment grants equal rights under the constitution. It does not take away any rights from the accused.