Changes to California's 3-strikes law are still unfair and have still left thousands of people with unbelievably long sentences that are not fair when their non-violent offense is considered. Those sentenced in this way often have no recourse to having their sentences reconsidered, and those with an indeterminate time of incarceration are not able to earn good-time credits.

This is Aaron. He is 53 and has been in prison for 20 years with a life sentence on a drug case. He has no violence, no weapons charges and no sex offenses. California has the most draconian 3-Strikes law in the country and even though Aaron has over 25 accomplishment certificates, nothing he does in prison will ever gain him his freedom. Aaron has a daughter, and a grandson whom he has never seen. He does not come from money or privilege, and never had strong family ties growing up.

It has cost the taxpayers a half million dollars to incarcerate Aaron, not counting several hundred thousand dollars in medical expenses to combat various illnesses. He has watched violent murderers, child molesters and rapists released hand over fist as California prefers its life sentences for petty crime.

This petition is directed to the Governor, state legislature and the voting public of California, not to pardon his sentence (which is unrealistic as the rules do not allow it for a person with a prior felony/prison sentence), but rather to draw attention to the fact that the system is bloated with people just like him, with no family to sponsor his position, a voice not heard and a life sentence for drugs, with no history of violence, weapons or sex offenses.

Aaron does not claim or request any special recognition or consideration by the Governor or the legislature based upon his individual crime or situation. There are thousands and thousands caught up in California’s system of life sentences for non-violent crime.

We would ask that people support this petition as an example of one of thousands that deserve change from the hopelessness of a walking death sentence to the fairness of what President Obama has done with the federal system—the elimination of “life” in prison for drug cases for people who are not violent.

We are looking for a commutation of sentence from California Governor Jerry Brown.

This petition itself with supporter comments will be given to the Governor and state legislature. The recent 2012 change in California’s 3-Strikes law did not fix the problem.

California law-makers and voters need to be aware of how changes made to the 3-strikes law actually affect real people. Aaron is one of the people affected in this way.

Find more information and complete legal history on Aaron's Facebook page Aaron C. Yost 100011477191242@facebook.com