The debate surrounding the Three Strikes law will be put to the
vote when California decides on a proposition that could release
thousands of prisoners who many believe were unfairly
sentenced.
One of the more publicized propositions on the Nov. 2 ballot,
Proposition 66 ““ which would amend the three strikes law
““ holds a commanding lead in the polls as the election draws
near. But some opponents of the bill fear the consequences of
possibly releasing an estimated 26,000 California prison inmates
currently serving time under the original Three Strikes law.
Under the original law, if someone has been convicted of two
serious or violent felonies, their next felony conviction ““
even if it is not a serious or violent one ““ requires them to
be sentenced from a minimum of 25 years to life in prison.
“If you have two strikes on your record and if you do
almost anything, it will be a third strike,” said Sharon
Dolovich, an acting professor in the UCLA School of Law. She said
the current version of the law could put someone in prison for 25
years to life for relatively minor crimes, like stealing
videos.
Dolovich, a proponent of Proposition 66, said changing the law
could “curb an incredibly large and growing prison
population” because it would not give disproportionately long
sentences to minor offenders.
The passage of Proposition 66 would change the law such that the
Three Strikes law would only take effect after three serious or
violent felony convictions. The prisoners currently serving time
under the Three Strikes law would be resentenced and potentially
released under the new law if the Three Strikes law no longer
applies to them.
Many opponents of the bill believe multiple offenders deserve
long sentences.
“(The bill’s) intent is to provide leniency to
people who cannot follow the law,” said Karen Hanretty, a
spokeswoman for the California Republican Party. She said the Three
Strikes law in its current form serves as an effective deterrent
for repeat offenders.
Several student leaders on campus say they support the
proposition as they prepare for a week-long campaign to educate the
campus about the various bills on the ballot.
The Undergraduate Students Association Council plans to host a
workshop in collaboration with the UCLA Labor Center to inform
student voters about the 16 propositions that will be on
California’s ballot.
The workshop will concentrate on the most relevant bills to
youth voters, including Proposition 66, said USAC President Allende
Palma/Saracho, who has a personal investment in its passage.
The Three Strikes law has contributed to “this whole new
mentality of criminalizing youth,” Palma/Sarcho said. He
relayed his experiences in high school when his friends would be
suspected for gang activity when he believes they were merely
“kicking it” in front of his school.
Proponents and opponents also disagree whether the bill would
save taxpayers money. The bill’s advocates say releasing
thousands of inmates would save the state money that would
otherwise go to prisons. But the bill could end up costing
taxpayers more money to retry offenders, said Maggie Elvey, the
executive assistant for Crime Victims United of California.
Opponents also believe the cost would be further increased if
citizens have to spend more for the higher crime rates that may
ensue from prisoner release.
Still, Palma/Saracho said the passage of the proposition was
important because it may also indirectly benefit higher
education.
“This (Three Strikes) policy has contributed to investment
in prisons that could’ve gone to schools and
education,” he said.
With reports from Nicole Slezak, Bruin contributor.