BEFORE ADJOURNING, THE IOWA LEGISLATURE HAS GIVEN BIPARTISAN APPROVAL TO A BILL THAT REQUIRES LONGER PRISON SENTENCES FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS.
SENATOR MIKE BOUSSELOT, A REPUBLICAN FROM ANKENY, SAYS 75 PERCENT OF VIOLENT CRIMES ARE COMMITTED BY SOMEONE WHO’S COMMITTED A CRIME BEFORE.
3STRIKES1 OC…….OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.” :21
UNDER IOWA’S CURRENT HABITUAL OFFENDER LAW, A THIRD FELONY CONVICTION CARRIES A MANDATORY SENTENCE OF AT LEAST THREE YEARS, BUT THAT SENTENCE MAY BE DEFERRED OR SUSPENDED.
UNDER THE BILL, ANYONE CONVICTED OF A THIRD FELONY MUST BE SENTENCED TO AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON AND MUST SERVE ALL SEVEN YEARS.
REPRESENTATIVE STEVEN HOLT FROM DENISON, SAYS THE BILL HAS BEEN A PRIORITY FOR HOUSE REPUBLICANS.
3STRIKES2 OC……..THE REVOLVING DOOR.” :18
CRITICS SAY THE COURT SYSTEM SHOULD HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO GIVE SHORTER SENTENCES AND SECOND CHANCES TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE ABILITY TO TURN THEIR LIVES AROUND.
ROSS WILBURN, A DEMOCRAT FROM AMES, SAYS THE BILL WILL KEEP MORE PEOPLE IN PRISON FOR LONGER — RAISING COSTS.
3STRIKES3 OC……..ENTIRE SYSTEM. ;06
THE BILL GOT THE SUPPORT OF 105 LEGISLATORS. TWENTY-SIX MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE OPPOSED IT.
