Hello Everyone,

My name is Ferlandria Porter, and I am initiating this petition to advocate for changes to Mississippi Code § 99-19-83. My goal is to give family members serving life sentences without the possibility of parole for Non Violent Crimes a second chance. Under the current stipulations of this code, any person in Mississippi convicted of a felony, who has been previously convicted twice of any felony or federal crime from separate incidents, and who has served separate terms of one year or more in any state or federal penal institution, is sentenced to life imprisonment without parole if one of these felonies was a violent crime, as defined by Section 97-3-2.

This law significantly affects those who committed felonies in their adolescence, offering them no hope for change or maturity. It mandates life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for individuals with two prior felony convictions, one of which must be a violent crime, irrespective of the third felony's nature. This harsh sentence is applied without consideration for the potential for reform or rehabilitation, especially in youthful offenders.

I am calling for changes to this law because a life sentence without the possibility of parole is tantamount to a death sentence. Those serving life for non violent sentences deserve a chance for parole. They should not be condemned to die in prison, especially if the crime was not to be Rape,Murder,Robbery or any other Violent Crime .I have attached a video of how the three strike law started and how it was changed in other states to help non violent offender get a second chance at life .Please help Support my petition on this law change here in Mississippi