I, Roseanna Speer, am writing this petition to address the unjust and disproportionate sentencing of individuals under the three strikes law in California. This law, initially intended to target crimes against children and murderers, has been misapplied to non-violent offenses such as robbery without a weapon or drug charges. It is time to rectify this injustice by abolishing the three strikes law for prisoners serving life or multiple life sentences.

As a concerned citizen of California, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of this flawed legislation. My boyfriend, who committed an unarmed bank robbery, was sentenced to an unimaginable 247 years in prison with no chance of parole until after 140 years. This punishment is not only excessive but also fails to serve the interests of justice.

The three strikes law was enacted with good intentions; however, it has resulted in severe overcrowding within our state's prisons and disproportionately affects minority communities. According to a report by The Sentencing Project (2018), African Americans are more than twice as likely as White Americans to be sentenced under the three strikes law.

Furthermore, studies have shown that mandatory minimum sentences like those imposed by the three strikes law do not effectively deter crime or enhance public safety. In fact, they often lead to increased recidivism rates and hinder successful reintegration into society.

It is crucial that we focus on implementing evidence-based policies that prioritize rehabilitation and reduce mass incarceration while ensuring public safety remains paramount. By abolishing the three strikes law for non-violent offenses such as robbery without a weapon or drug charges, we can redirect resources towards programs proven effective at reducing crime rates and promoting rehabilitation.

I urge you all fellow Californians who believe in fairness and justice within our criminal justice system to join me in signing this petition demanding immediate action from our lawmakers:

1. Repeal the three strikes law for non-violent offenses, such as robbery without a weapon or drug charges.
2. Review and reconsider the cases of individuals currently serving life or multiple life sentences under this law.
3. Redirect resources towards evidence-based rehabilitation programs that promote successful reintegration into society.

Together, we can bring about meaningful change and ensure that our criminal justice system is fair, just, and focused on true rehabilitation rather than excessive punishment.

Roseanna Speer
Yucca Valley, California