The intent of California's "Three Strikes and You're Out" law is to make violent criminals into career inmates. However, many people believe that the law inflicts unjust life sentences on people who have committed non-violent crimes. They feel the law creates an unjust system that hands out sentences disproportionate to the crimes. In spite of that, there are just as many people that deem the law a necessary regulation to keep society safe.

25 to Life is a human story of people on all sides of the law: the victims of crime, the inmates who are unreasonably sentenced, and those families who are subject to the law's mechanism through a loved one. The film will delve into the layer cake of the law and powers that spare no expense to keep this decree on the books. However, the film will also examine the other side of the debate where the possibility of releasing violent criminals is unsettling. The film will present various facets of the law and ultimately the audience will decide if California's "Three Strikes and You're Out" law is practical.

Director's Statement