Iowans Against the Death Penalty
Contact
Information |
Website: iadp.org
Phone: 515-598-4528
Address: PO Box 65397
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Contact: Dennis Barnum
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Death
Penalty
Statistics |
| Year Death Penalty Abolished | 1965 |
| Number of Executions Before Abolition | 45 |
| Last Three Executions | |
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Background
Iowa repealed the death penalty in 1965. Bills to reinstate the death penalty are periodically introduced by members of the Iowa Legislature. In both 1995 and 1998, Iowa faced significant threats of reinstatement, especially in 1995 when the Iowa House actually passed a resolution to reinstate the death penalty. Fortunately, it failed in the Iowa Senate.
Public Opinion
Surveys indicate that public opinion in Iowa about the death penalty is relatively broad but not deep. Almost as many Iowans support a sentence of life imprisonment without possibility of parole as support execution. What is more, many Iowans are unaware that Iowa law already provides for the option of a life sentence without possibility of parole. Support for the death penalty drops still further and enthusiasm wanes as Iowans become better informed about the wrongful convictions and ineffectiveness of capital punishment in other states.
Become Involved!
IADP is reinvigorating our organization, working to increase membership and continuing public education to defend against any reinstatement effort. You can help by:
- Joining Iowans Against the Death Penalty and contributing to the IADP Fund;
- Writing your state legislators and declaring your opposition to the death penalty and urging vigilance in keeping Iowa free of state-sponsored executions; and
- Encouraging others to join Iowans Against the Death Penalty.
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