[Source: https://www.thehawkeye.com/news/20200806/rich-mathias-formerly-of-burlington-plays-role-in-restoration-of-iowa-felon-voting-rights The Hawk Eye, 6 August 2020, by Robin Opsahl Des Moines Register] IOWA CITY — Rich Mathias, formerly of Burlington, hoped the bumpy road to regaining his right to vote could help end Iowa’s status as… Read More
[Source: https://littlevillagemag.com/prison-recidivism-covid-19-cedar-rapids/ Little Village Magazine, 17 June 2020, by Izabela Zaluska] Eddie Walker was released from prison last June after being incarcerated for 18 years for a robbery charge. Now living in Iowa City, Walker recalled the arduous… Read More
[Sources: https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Governor-Reynolds-pushing-to-approve-more-felon-voting-rights-applications-prior-to-caucuses-566856321.html KCRG, 9 January 2020, Aaron Scheinblum] With just a few weeks until Caucuses night, Gov. Kim Reynolds is continuing to push to restore voting rights for felons that have been released from prison. Pat Garrett, Communications… Read More
[Source: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/investigations/2019/11/26/iowa-may-alone-felon-voting-ban-kentucky-prepares-drop-practice/4127351002/ The Des Moines Register, 26 November 2019, by Jason Clayworth] Iowa is poised to become the only state that permanently bans felons from voting unless they receive gubernatorial approval — a distinction some opponents of the practice… Read More
[Source: https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Employers-community-members-experience-what-life-is-like-for-ex-offenders-after-prison-565127872.html KCRG, 18 November 2019, by Aaron Scheinblum] Low unemployment might be causing some businesses to give ex-offenders more opportunities in the job market, and in North Liberty, a nonprofit teamed up with the city to have… Read More
[Source: https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/2019/01/16/area-residents-convicted-felonies-seeking-restoration-right-vote/2584688002/ The Iowa City Press Citizen, 16 January 2019, by Hillary Ojeda] Doren Walker and Todd Williams, of Kalona and Mt. Pleasant respectively, lost their right to vote after being convicted of felonies in the state of… Read More
[Source: “A Resource Guide for People Leaving Prison,” Iowa Public Radio, 27 December 2017, by Rob Dillard] A Johnson County-based nonprofit is joining with the Iowa Department of Corrections to produce an on-line resource guide for people who… Read More
[Source: “Prison art exhibit in Iowa City to raise awareness of ex-offenders’ challenges,” The Gazette, 28 December 2017, by Erin Jordan] IOWA CITY — Making customized greeting cards was Doren Walker’s prison hustle, a way to earn behind-bars… Read More
[Source: “InsideOut’s re-entry simulation gives glimpse into the daily struggles for parolees ,” CBS2, 19 October 2017, by Gabriela Vidal] CORALVILLE, Iowa (CBS 2/ FOX 28) — The InsideOut Re-entry program hosted its inaugural parolee simulation on Wednesday… Read More
Last Updated: September 10, 2020 by Susan Spears
Thousands on parole still can’t vote and one hurdle may be inability to pay restitution
The last time Marlon Graham Sr. was allowed to vote, he cast his vote for Barack Obama while he was living in Minnesota. But back in Des Moines where he’s lived most of his life, Graham is still… Read More