California Association of Urban League Executives Supports Proposition 66 Reform of California's Three Strikes Law.

LOS ANGELES -- Current "Three Strikes" Law Disproportionately Targets African Americans and Latinos

The California Association of Urban League Executives (CAULE) -- citing a recent report finding that, under the current "Three Strikes" law, African Americans are given life sentences at nearly 13 times the rate of Whites, and that Latinos are incarcerated 82 percent more than Whites - strongly urges voters to approve Proposition 66, which reforms the state's Three Strikes law. CAULE is represented by the leaders of California's National Urban League Affiliates.

The statewide initiative, which appears on the November 2 General Election Ballot, would amend the current "Three Strikes" law to increase sentences only when the third strike conviction is for specified violent and/or serious felonies. Proposition 66 also redefines those felonies, allows some re-sentencing and increases punishments for certain sex crimes against children.

John W. Mack, President of CAULE and the Los Angeles Urban League, emphasized the importance of returning to the original intent of the law. He states, "Voter intent behind the Three Strikes law was to lock up murderers, rapists and other violent criminals after conviction of a third violent crime and to throw away the key," Mack said.

"But over the past decade, life sentences are increasingly being given for such non-violent crimes as petty theft, such as a man who was sentenced to life for stealing a VCR, shoplifting or minor drug possession. Such excessive sentencing is not what the law was intended to do," he added.

A recent Los Angeles Times' Editorial pointed out that of the 7,300 individuals in prison under the Three Strikes Law, 4,200 are serving 25 years to life sentences for non-violent or non-serious crimes. It further stated that it costs taxpayers $31,000 each year for every person in prison under the Three Strikes Law.

"According to a recent Justice Policy Institute study, African Americans constitute 6.5 percent of our state's population, but make up almost 30 percent of our prison population. Almost 45 percent of those individuals were sentenced under the Three Strikes law," said James Shelby, CAULE Treasurer and President of the Greater Sacramento Urban League.

"We all want to feel safer in our communities and to properly punish violent criminals, especially those who prey upon women and children, but the current Three Strikes law is another example of a double standard of justice against African Americans and Latinos who are unjustly targeted, and others who pose no threat of violence," said Cecil Steppe, CAULE Secretary and President of the San Diego Urban League.

"This law desperately needs to be reformed," Mack said. "CAULE strongly urges a Yes vote on Proposition 66."

For more information, interviews, or photographs, contact Mel Assagai, President of The Advocacy Group at [phone].