Author
Vinny Lombardo
Next months general election, will have voters in California choosing the fates of 16 ballot measures, on issues like Stem Cell research, emergency medical funds, mental health care, and open primaries. One of the closely watched initiatives on the California ballot is Proposition 66, which would reform the infamous Three Strikes, You're Out law, the toughest in the US. Current law requires sentences to be doubled for any felony, if the offender had one prior serious or violent felony conviction, or a 25-year-to-life sentence for any felon with two prior serious or violent felony convictions. This situation has led to a bloated prison population, with around 42,300 people serving a doubled sentence or 25-years-to-life. If passed, Proposition 66 would require the state to re-sentence inmates whose third strike felony was nonviolent. In addition, prison sentences for specified sex offenses against children would be strengthened. FSRN's Vinny Lombardo examines the rhetoric and reality of Proposition 66. 3:30