three strikes laws became popular in the 1990s. in states throughout the country, these laws allow people convicted of their third criminal offense to be placed in prison for life, and over 4,000 people in california have been issued life sentences under the state’s three strikes law for non-violent offenses. this means people struggling with drug addictions and those who have committed petty crimes are currently incarcerated for longer periods of time than rapists and murderers. the following video was produced to support california’s prop. 36; a law that could possibly repeal three strikes and reverse the harmful surge of harsh criminal punishments that disproportionally affect people of color.
via mother jones