111 Iowa L. Rev. 1269 (2026)

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Abstract

Iowa’s prison system desperately needs intervention. The population of older adults in Iowa’s prisons is growing at a rapid rate and threatens to overwhelm the system unless there is a solution. These individuals are contributing to prison overcrowding: The state prisons are over capacity by twenty percent on average with no end in sight. In the next few short years, it’s projected that Iowa will reach ten thousand incarcerated individuals—the highest prison population the State has ever seen. Unless action is taken to release these older incarcerated individuals, already poor prison conditions will continue to worsen. The costs to the State to treat those older inmates who require specialty health care services, like hospice, are on the rise, too. This Note argues that Iowa needs compassionate release. This commonplace program that exists in every state except Iowa holds potential to remedy Iowa’s overcrowding issue and rising carceral health care costs, while also promoting humanitarian ideals throughout the State.