DES MOINES – An Iowa board of criminal justice officials has recommended stiffer penalties for kidnapping offenses here in Iowa.
In July 2012 the Iowa Legislative Council requested the Public Safety Advisory Board (PSAB) provide recommendations to the General Assembly relating to crimes against children. This request came in response to the high profile kidnapping of two girls and subsequent murder of one – Kathlynn Shepard – by Michael Klunder.
In a new report from the PSAB, the board proposes adding third degree kidnapping to the lineup of crimes in Iowa where the offender must serve a minimum of 70 percent of the jail time before being eligible for parole. The offense of third degree kidnapping would carry a sentence of 10 years.
While child kidnapping in Iowa is rare, the report says, the analysis of child kidnapping and review of the effectiveness of kidnapping laws reveals weaknesses in Iowa’s Criminal Code. Currently, the Code does not distinguish between adult and child victims and does not provide for penalty enhancements for repeat offenders. The PSAB believes Iowa’s Criminal Code should be strengthened by addressing these weaknesses.
After thorough review of the Klunder case, the board said it was evident that efforts were made by the sentencing Judge and the Board of Parole to incapacitate Klunder for the longest period of time permitted by statute. The Judge in the first and second Klunder kidnapping cases ordered his sentences to be served consecutively in order to maximize incapacitation and the Board of Parole delayed work release until a few months before the expiration of his sentence. Klunder did not meet the criteria for civil commitment as a sexually violent predator. Upon release he was placed on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for ten years as a Tier II offender and was subject to bi-annual reviews to verify relevant information (e.g., residency, employment). It is evident that Klunder’s release was due not to lax parole policies, but rather the provisions in the Criminal Code pertaining to the accrual of earned time while an offender is incarcerated.
PSAB is made up of 23 members, 7 of whom are appointed by the governor.
Duh. Obviously heinous crimes that threaten life and limb should be punished severely, but this Nation has its priorities all mussed up fighting the “drug war”. Have to make beds available for drug convicts you know. WAKE UP SH**HEADS! Wake up. I’m tired of this stupid Iowa Apathy. Don’t you people understand the basics of life? Violent people need jail, and non violent people need therapy…or in some cases: TO BE LEFT ALONE.
Don’t stop here: Redo the entire Iowa Penal Code and Punishment system. Life isn’t that difficult. A guy with a GED could run this world better than how it’s being run.