3-Strike Stories: A. Brown
I am a 36 year old man who has made a mistake in life and would like another chance at
becoming a productive citizen. I was sentenced to 10 years at 80% in 1995. I an scheduled
to be release in 2005. Since my incarceration I have lost my grandfather and my
grandmother health is questionable at best. Because of the three strikes sentencing
guidelines my base term was doubled and I must serve 80% of 10 years.
I am an electrician and have payed taxes and worked for many years. My crime was
non-violent and my remorse is evident, I realize if prisons did not exist, that we couldn't enforce our laws, but this Three strikes law has
incarcerated many individuals for lengthily sentences, who could better serve the
community by working and paying taxes.
I am afraid that my grandmother will pass away while I am in prison, which she doesn't deserve. My sentence was not unfair nor was it
excessive. I was a large scale drug dealer, and the poison I sold caused many lives to be
ruined. It also caused many addicted people to commit crimes against innocent victims.
When you consider that I received ten year for 1/4 kilo of cocaine, 1/4 pound of
methamphetamine and 5 pounds of marijuana. I am truly blessed. I am surrounded by men who
have been given life sentences for small portions of grams. Some of the commitment
offenses of these men are not worthy of a 5 year sentence, let alone 25 to life.
While surrounded by these condemned men I have learned to count my blessings, and am
studying to become an electrical engineer. I wish every citizen could experience what I
see daily. Then the FACTS Family would increase ten fold. I admire the current FACTS staff
and volunteers, because they are free people who believe and have not seen.. I believe but
I not only have seen but live it every day.
Please send questions or comments to facts@mediaone.net.
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Date last modified: 6/19/98.