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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
New Address for IPI
Effective April 2012, the mailing address for the Innocence Project of Iowa is:
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Innocence Project of Iowa
19 S. 7th St.
Estherville, Iowa 51334
Iowa Supreme Court Reiterates Admonintion on Recording Interrogations
In its recent opinion in State v. Madsen, the Iowa Supreme Court again addressed the recording of interrogations by law enforcement. The opinion, issued on April 20, 2012, reiterates the Court's admonition in State v. Hatjic, 724 N.W.2d 449 (Iowa 2006), encouraging law enforcement agencies to videotape custodial interrogations. The Madsen opinion further encourages electronic recording of noncustodial interrogations when practical. The opinion is available here.
BVU Professors Discuss "CSI Effect" and Wrongful Convictions
Dr. Neal McNabb and Dr. Stephanie Hays from Buena Vista University recently authored a "point/counterpoint" piece on the impact of shows like Crime Scene Investigation on the criminal justice system. Both professors touched on the relationship between the so-called "CSI Effect" and wrongful convictions. The piece, which appeared in the BVU alumni magazine, 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.