Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319
Tel: (515) 281-5211
Send the fully completed application and letters of
recommendation to:
N. Brian Gentry
General Counsel
Governor's Office
State Capitol Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
Tel: (515) 281-5211
Each application will be forwarded to the Department
of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Investigation
for a full review of criminal and traffic violations
as well as credit history. Applicants are interviewed
by a DCI agent. Please note that a DCI agent may contact
anyone who is listed on your application as a contact
person, reference, or who submits a letter of recommendation
to verify that the information provided is correct.
According to law, these materials will be reviewed by
the Parole Board and the Board's recommendation will
be submitted to the Governor's Office.
Letters of Recommendation:
You are strongly encouraged to provide letters of
recommendation from the following people at the time
you submit your application:
· Prosecuting attorney in your case
· Sentencing judge in your case
· County sheriff in your case or where you currently
reside
· Minister, priest, rabbi, etc. (if applicable)
· Present and/or former employers
· Other reputable persons in the community who can
testify as to the moral character and good behavior
of the applicant
If you are unable to obtain letters of recommendation
from such individuals due to factors beyond your control
(retirement, relocation, deceased, etc.) please include
an explanation on your application.
You are encouraged to obtain as many letters of recommendation
as possible. If possible, talk to each letter writer
personally and pick up each letter. Letters of recommendation
must state that the letter writer is aware that you
are seeking commutation. You may provide each letter
writer with a copy of these instructions.
The Governor of Iowa has criteria to review commutation
applications. The Governor must be convinced that an
applicant can satisfy four conditions before he can
commute the sentence imposed. The conditions are as
follows:
· Specific Deterrence: Whether the applicant would
present a threat to public safety if released.
· General Deterrence: Whether the granting of a commutation
to a particular applicant would weaken the deterrent
effect of the punishment on other similarly-situated
people.
· Rehabilitation: Whether the applicant has restored
himself or herself, in dignity and capacity, to the
level of an individual who deserves to rejoin society,
outside of a correctional institute, and move freely
within the general public.
· Retribution: Whether the applicant has suffered
from the punishment imposed to sufficiently justify
the applicant's release from incarceration at a correctional
institute.
Every effort has been made to make this information
accurate and up-to-date. Errors are inevitable and changes
occur frequently. We would appreciate learning of any
errors or inaccuracies regarding any information on
this Webpage as soon as possible. Please write to info@cjpf.org
