Dear Mr. Bien,
I am writing in support of amending the three strikes law.
When this law passed it appeared this act was the ideal situation to combat
crime. It was the right time and the sentiment of the state supported the
enactment of this law. The economy was thriving and many correctional facilities were built
waiting to be filled with criminals arrested for non-violent crimes, creating
situations for three strike imprisonment. The sentences would usually
range from twenty five years to life, no matter what the crime might have
been.
The idea was to have full population of these facilities and they would pay for
themselves. Well its not that simple, especially with the problem of
overcrowding. We have learned that the public, law enforcement and the judicial system needs education
addressing the brutality of the three strikes law in California.
Men and women needs to continue organizing within prisons. During these
hard economic times people are pushed harder than before stealing food, forging
checks, committing non-violent crimes just to feed or take care of their families.
When arrests are made consideration should be given to the criminal history and
the nature of the crimes, before a person is sent to prison for ninety nine
years. Prisons have been hit hard, because of lack of resources and
families worry about safety for their loved ones. The overcrowding topic
has not been resolved and we are waiting for a decision on a workable plan from
the state.
My interest in expressing my opinion comes from concerns I have for my brother
and others with similar situations. He has been incarcerated for thirteen
years, for crimes that are mostly drug related. He has not killed,
crippled or maimed anyone, but due to this law he received this outrageous
sentence.
When the family learned that the courts were considering early releases,
because of overcrowding we were overjoyed. Our happiness was short lived
when article after article from newspapers was telling us that panels would
make decisions identifying inmates that would qualify for early release.
This decision brought anxiety, because we knew that many would not fit the
criteria. We have heard very little since the judge ordered a better plan
was needed to address the prison problems. We wonder what really is
happening?
The state has many correctional facilities. The overall goal for these
facilities is misplaced. Instead of locking up everybody, why not focus
on prevention. This is not a novel idea. If the community
concentrated on pro-active approaches and work with kids and families at a very
early age to establish buy-in for right and wrong, moral values, respect and
how to avoid spending time in jail, would create and promote productive
individuals. This idea sounds like a simple approach, but has been hard to
accomplish. What are prisons doing now to prepare inmates to re-enter
their communities? They are not doing enough to assist or prepare them
other than failure and assure them a return to the prison system. Through this
plan we could change ideas and the roles and responsibilities would fall
directly onto the inmate, who could avoid prison through education. This
approach would also convince our youths that they have a choice, obtain an
education and go to college or go to jail. It’s a no-brainer.
Jobs and responsibility for parents is a necessity. Children cannot feel
hopeless with despair. They need education and parents should be role
models instilling this idea of getting an education. This can be done
with support, resources, participation, volunteerism and collaboration would be
the starting point. Lets do it.
There must be more voices directing their energy toward those challenges facing
the state, in demanding human rights for our sisters and brothers who are
behind bars, waiting for politicians to decide their fate. The
judicial system takes its own time, in resolving prison problems. We
should push harder.
I look forward working with people, groups and others who share my
vision. I want to thank FACTS for listening to what I needed to say about
this issue, and I look forward working with them as well.
I can be reached at bobbie1944@sbcglobal.com
Sincerely,
Bobbie Herron
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