Pete Wilson

Former Governor Wilson signed the "three strikes" law into effect in1994. In a response to public outcry the bill gained momentum and was signed into law with ceremony. Though initiatives to reform the law have been started none have affected lasting change.

Dan Lungren

Dan Lungren was an English teacher in his career previous to politics. He served as the Attorney General of California. He was a big supporter of the law at the time of the Klaas murder. He is now federal congressman for the state of California.

Marc Klass

Marc Klaas, father of Polly, lost his daughter in 1993. He started The Polly Klaas Foundation to combat the release of repeat violent offenders and crimes against children. He runs the organization in the San Francisco area. His daughter's death was a major catalyst in passing the "three Strikes" law. He supports the law but has had mixed feelings on its past use as a political career booster and sensational news item.

Joe Klaas

Joe Klaas is the father of Marc Klaas and a proponent of "three strikes" reform. He became an activist against three strikes" when he felt his granddaughter's death was exploited to further political careers and incarcerate petty criminals.

Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds authored the "three strikes" law after losing his daughter to a violent crime in 1993. He is against reforming the law. He owns and operates a photography business and is an avid marksman. He currently resides in Fresno, CA.

Frank Zimring

Frank Zimring is a law professor at Cal State Berkley. He has been teaching law for over 25 years and has written over a dozen books on law and legislation. He is a proponent of reforming the "three strikes" Law.

Marc Di Cammiillo

Marc Di Cammiillo has worked for the Field Research Center in San Francisco since 1972. He serves as analysis stylist for Elections and Props for the State for California. In 2004 he was the analyst for Prop.66, which would have reformed the "three strikes" law in California. The defeat of Prop 66 was one of the biggest upsets in American voting history.

Bonnie Dumanies

Bonnie Dumanies is an advocate and supporter of the "Three Strikes and You're Out" Law. As a judge in California she decided many "three strikes" cases. She is currently the DA of San Diego and is the first openly gay female in the judicial system.

David La Course

Now residing in upstate New York, Dave La Course previously worked for the Washington Institute for Policy Justice. He was attacked and almost killed while in college in Washington State. He was touted as the poster child for the "three strikes" law. Along with the NRA and other contributors, he played a role in creating America's first "three strikes" law. He is an advocate for reforming California's three strikes law.

Bill Jones

Bill Jones was one of the authors of the "Three Strikes and You're Out" law in California. He was a State assemblyman during the law's ratification. During Bill Jones became the Secretary of State. He is now retired and working on finding alternative fuel to gas.

Jerri Silva

Jerri Silva is President of F.A.C.T.S. (Families to Amend California Three Strikes) an outreach program for families with loved ones serving time under three strikes for non-violent offenses. She is a strong advocate for reforming the law. She came close with Prop. 66 in 2004. She is now preparing for another fight to reform the law in 2008.

David Beck Brown

David Beck Brown was an English teacher for the California Department of Corrections until funding for inmate education was cut. While working in prison he met Inmate Frank and was moved by the inequities of the "three strikes". He lives in San Diego and writes articles advocating "three strikes" reform in many California newspapers.

Louis Frank

Inmate Frank is doing time in R.J. Donovan State Correctional Facility. He grew up in Venice, California. Two of Inmates Frank's strikes came from one incident wherein he stole a bike from a garage attached to a house. While serving time he was caught with drug paraphernalia for which he received his third strike. He is now serving 25 to life.

David Paquin

David Paquin is a criminal defense lawyer who is opposed to the "three strikes" Law. His view on the law is partly derived from inequities in sentencing requisites for violent offenders and petty criminals. He currently practices law in Los Angeles.

David Losa

David's brother Doug is currently serving a 25-year to life sentence for drug related felonies. David is known for protesting the law by cycling from Santa Barbara, CA to Washington D.C. David currently works as a personal trainer and is active in pro-reform organizations.

Anthony Stitt

Inmate Stitt is serving 25 to life at Pleasant Valley State Penitentiary Two strikes were for one incident of strong arm robbery. Years later he was caught with residual amounts of crack cocaine and given his third strike.

Erwin Chemerinsky

Erwin Chemerinsky is a professor of law at Duke University. He has argued the defense on several "three strikes" cases in front of the Supreme Court. He is an opponent of the law and is very active in efforts to reform it.

John Washington

Inmate Washington is originally from Mississippi and is serving 25 to life for drug related crimes. In his own words he is a "penitentiary astronaut" bouncing from one institution to another.<

Sue Reams

Sue learned about the "three strikes" law after turning her son, Shane, in to police for his drug related criminal tendencies. Intending to dole out "tough love" she unwittingly sent Shane away for 25 to life for burglarizing their neighbor's house. She is a member of F.A.C.T.S. and a proponent of reforming the law.

Ed Hunt

Ed Hunt is the former DA of Fresno and served in the Fresno County judicial system for over 20 years. As DA he prosecuted several "three strikes" cases. He is currently retired and living in Fresno.

Michael Perez

Inmate Perez is currently serving a 25 to life sentence. Having struck out on a petty larceny he's spent the last 8 years in Sentinela State Correctional Facility. Like many inmates in their middle years, he finds solace in Christianity while dealing with the time consuming appeal and parole processes.

The Perez Family

The Perez family misses Michael very much. They want to know Michael as a functioning member of both society and the family.

Pam Martinez

Pam is one of the first "three strikes" inmates to be released. She was granted clemency after proving she had inadequate representation. She is currently owner and operator of a pet grooming service.

Vincent Schiraldi

Vincent is a supporter of changing the "three strikes" law in California. He believes the law is unjust and has appeared on national television with his opinion. As the director of the Justice Policy Institute in Washington D.C. he examined effects of the "three strikes" law in the 25 states which have one. Ironically, as an advocate for incarceration alternatives he is now the director of Youth and Rehabilitation Services of Washington D.C.

Albert Villescas

Inmate Villescas is serving a 25 to life sentence for alleged possession of a firearm while on parole. His first two strikes came from a high school incident wherein a gang member threatened his family. In retaliation, Albert shot the individual with the gun he took from the gang member.

Villescas Family

The Villesca's are ready to have Albert back in their lives. Vanessa has never met her father outside of visitation at R.J. Donovan.

Chuck Poochigian

Senator Poochigian (R)-California represents the Central Valley. He is currently preparing for a re-election campaign. As a supporter of the "three strikes" law he stands on the "tough on crime" platform.

Michael Villa

Inmate Villa resides in Donovan State Prison in San Diego. As a youth he was in and out of trouble due to mischievousness. His first strike was petty theft. Years later he received 25 to life for alleged domestic battery. His wife later claimed that she was not abused physically.

Villa Family

Although unhappy about Michael's poor life decisions they feel they could have been better guides to him. They visit Michael every month with his children.

Dr. Joseph Harazati

Dr. Harazati is an expert psychologist and has appeared on many talk shows. He gives expert testimony for "three strikes" cases. He advocates treatment for those inmates whose crimes stem from mental disorders.

Jason Zeiderberg

Jason is the director of the Justice Policy Institute in Washington D.C. The institute conducts studies on the efficacy of laws and judicial procedure throughout the U.S.

Thomas Crutchfield

Inmate Crutchfield was caught up in drugs and served time. He was clean for a number of years and running a carpet cleaning business. During a rough period with his girlfriend he fell back into drugs. His third strike was received for possession of stolen property.

Tony Harris

Tony is a friend of Inmate Crutchfield's. He resides in Los Angeles. Though he doesn't have much contact with Inmate Crutchfield, he wishes for his safe and productive reintroduction to society.

Peter Greenwood

Peter Greenwood, a criminologist formerly of the RAND Corporation, now has his own research firm in Los Angeles. While with RAND he conducted many studies to gauge the efficacy of the "three strikes" law.

Richard Brown

Richard is an inmate at Centinela State Prison. In his life previous to incarceration he was a singer in a soul and blues band. His first strike was assault he committed in the 1980's in retaliation to being robbed. His third strike was for stealing a car alarm from a Walgreen's drug store.