My purpose is to focus on those practical policy concerns that also should inform the decision of citizens and every state lawmaker on this issue. Every citizen should know that life means life before the state restores capital punishment. Persons sentenced to life effectively are sentenced to die in prison.
Life means life in Iowa.
Persons who commit heinous crimes have forfeited forever their privilege of living in freedom, and this is as it should be. Many death penalty states do not have life without parole. I believe Iowa has the better system. I note that public support for the death penalty drops significantly when people know that life means life in Iowa. There are other powerful facts and policy considerations that sharply reduce sentiment favoring the death penalty when people are aware of them.