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~ Clarence Darrow
The Innocence Project of Iowa is a nonprofit organization that seeks to prevent and remedy wrongful convictions in the State of Iowa through case investigation, policy reform, and education. The Project's volunteers assist inmates with viable claims of actual innocence and work to improve the integrity of Iowa's criminal justice system.
This website provides information about the Innocence Project of Iowa, our work, and the national innocence movement. Learn about us, including our history, structure, and organization. Persons seeking assistance from the Project should follow the instructions in information for inmates. We encourage you to support us financially or to get involved as a volunteer. Check out the latest news and the many resources we have available. Finally, feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
UPDATES AND EVENTS
IPI Policy Intern Featured for Fire Investigations Work
The Drake University Law School's electronic newsletter recently featured a profile of 2011 graduate Dawone Robinson's volunteer work with the Innocence Project of Iowa. Dawone led IPI's successful effort to persuade the State Fire Marshal to voluntarily adopt a new policy regarding guidelines for fire investigations. The article is available here.
AJS Releases Report on Eyewitness Identification Procedures
On September 19, 2011, the American Judicature Society released a major report comparing sequential and simultaneous lineup methods. The study, led by Dr. Gary Wells of Iowa State University, found that the use of sequential procedures led to fewer mistaken identifications. The full report is available here.
State Fire Marshal Adopts New Fire Investigations Policy at IPI's Urging
Following discussions with the Innocence Project of Iowa, the State Fire Marshal Division adopted a new policy related to fire investigations effective July 5, 2011. The policy specifies that investigators should be guided by National Fire Protection Agency standard 921, considered to be the best practices for fire investigations. It also provides a means for investigators to raise concerns about past convictions based on forensic science or investigative methodologies which are now considered to be invalid. The text of the policy is available here. A joint press release from the Innocence Project of Iowa and The Innocence Project commending the Fire Marshal is available here.