Governor’s FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform
Governor Kim Reynolds announced the formation of the Governor’s FOCUS Committee on
Criminal Justice Reform (Fueling Ongoing Collaboration and Uncovering Solutions) at the 7th
Annual Iowa Summit on Justice & Disparities, sponsored by the NAACP. The working group will
build on the governor’s efforts over the last year to reduce criminal behavior and afford
individuals a second chance.
By December of this year, the FOCUS committee will make recommendations to reduce
recidivism through successful offender re-entry. This will form the foundation of a package of
legislative proposals aimed at advancing the Governor’s “2nd chance” initiative in 2020.
Over the course of 2020, the committee will also take up the very complex issue of unbiased
criminal justice in Iowa, looking at the full range of issues including policing, prosecution, and
corrections practices.
Gov. Reynolds selected Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, a former State Public Defender, to serve as
the group’s chair.
Members of the Governor’s FOCUS Committee on Criminal Justice Reform:
- Adam Gregg, Lt. Governor (Chair)
- Dr. Beth Skinner, Director, Department of Corrections
- Helen Miller, Chair, Board of Parole
- Steve Bayens, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety
- Judy Bradshaw, Director, Iowa Law Enforcement Academy
- Jeff Wright, State Public Defender
- Bruce Vander Sanden, Director, Sixth Judicial District, Department of Correctional Services
- Betty Andrews, President of the Iowa-Nebraska NAACP
- Rev. Alfonso Perez, Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs
- John Koufos, National Director of Reentry Initiatives, Right on Crime
- Janelle Melohn, Director, Crime Victims Assistance Division, Office of the Attorney General
- Jennifer Miller, Marshall County Attorney
- Darius Potts, Ankeny Police Chief
- Tim Lane, Scott County Sheriff
