I am a political prisoner. I didn't kill eleven year old Polly Klass but I may as well have been the killer as it is because of her murder that I'm serving 28 to life at 100% for exchanging a pair of pants for 2 pair of shorts and matching shirts in a department store without a receipt. I've been incarcerated for this since May 1995. As a third striker, I receive no "good time" or work time credits. A rapist, child molester, or murderer are eligible for 15 to 50% off.
In 2004 citizens against violent crime placed a measure on the ballot "prop 66" which would have rectified California's faulty and unjust 3-strikes law (as it stands, 2 strikes and a ball in the dirt) and made the law a bit more fair for individuals like me. The measure was leading 68% for and 29% against 2 weeks prior to the election. When out comes Arnold with a slew of ads telling the public that if prop 66 passes 26,000 rapists, child molesters, and murderers will go free.
First of all, I've never been arrested or convicted of rape, murder, or child molestation. There are roughly 4,000 non-violent non-serious 3rd strikers in California prisons. The measure would have only given them rightful relief. There would've bee no relief or release for murderers, child molesters, or rapists.
- a California prisoner, August 2005