Glen White - A Three Strikes Story
Incarceration or Rehabilitation?
This is a question we must ask ourselves.
I write you this letter concerning my current situation: serving life in prison for a nonviolent crime. I hope all who read this letter can put forth efforts into helping amend three-strikes law to violent/serious felonies. In this letter I will give the following: Personal background, three strikes facts and a successful alternative to life imprisonment for a man who needs rehabilitation for the addiction to drugs.
Personal History
I imagine my very troubled, tough and drug induced childhood was hereditary generated from my mother’s drug use and alcohol problems. I have never been a violent person, or had violent thoughts, but had many insecurities and lack of self-confidence that is typical of growing up in a dysfunctional family. My two prior strikes for robbery took place five days apart. They came at the end of a year long up and down struggle with drugs, alcohol and no feelings of self worth after my divorce in 1989. I took a deal for eight years. Soon after my incarceration in 1990, I became very energetic in learning and expanding the capabilities of my mind in positive ways. I enrolled myself into as many vocational jobs as possible: welding, silk screen printing, auto body, and an 18-month course in business Management that folded after eight months. In 1993 as a personal challenge I took and passed my 2nd GED (With no available treatment in the system, my habitual disease was incurable). I sought self-help in several ways and at times I did think I had my disease under control. Still, my addiction continued. In 1994 I had my wife, daughter, house and a job awaiting me in Contra Costa County but under state law you must parole to the county of commitment. I was forced to parole to a homeless shelter away from family and loved ones. Nevertheless, I did not let that affect my determination to succeed. I worked at a day labor place until I could afford tools to be competitive in my trade of roofing. I was able to accomplish my goal and obtain a full time job. I was beating all odds and finally succeeding at being a wage earner, but going through extraordinary difficulties to accomplish an honest life for myself while trying to keep my drug-addiction behind me. Soon afterward my disease relapsed and I was taken into custody for being in possession of a very small amount of drugs, with the result being life in prison. I committed no murder. I did not batter, assault or even yell at anyone. I did not rape, molest or steal. My actions were of a man striving to get things right within himself and be a productive member of society. I believe I was accomplishing this. Unfortunately like millions of others my disease and social habits won out again. I was the only victim, a victim of a disease where there seems to be the only cure of lock them up and throw away the key. Footnote: The case involved a routine traffic stop where drugs were found. I was a passenger.
Facts about the “Three Strikes Your Out” Law
(1) A man as myself with the disease of being addicted to drugs needs rehabilitation not incarceration! It is obvious the injustice in being sent to prison for 25 years to life for being in possession of a very small amount of drugs. CDC does absolutely nothing for drug addicts in the way of rehabilitation.
(2) The costs and benefits of long term incarceration need careful evaluation. Proven studies show that states without “Three Strikes Your Out” have lower crime rates than states that do. Many research studies show that the costs to society for preventive programs and rehabilitative programs are much lower overall than simply locking people up in prison for life. It costs taxpayers $27,000 to $32,000 a year to keep a nonviolent 3-striker locked up. That is up to $1,000,000 for one man to spend life in prison for a nonviolent case. That is one million dollars away from schools, social programs, environmental programs, transportation, finances, hospitals, senior retirement centers. You name it 3-strikes affects it.
(3) Families and the state are severely affected financially. California needs to amend the 3-strikes law to violent offenders. The change would free up room in prisons to house the truly dangerous while releasing those who should and would be working, paying taxes and raising families.
(4) The varying from Count to County in California for 3-strikes law is enormous. In some counties priors are seldom alleged unless the 3rd strike is serious/violent. Three Strikes equates possession of drugs with the acts of rapists and murderers. In California, and California only, it equates crimes of nonviolence with those of violence. Three-strikes is an unjust law for nonviolent offenders.
(5) The 3-strikes law was created because of revenge, hate and greed. I worry that politicians, judges and D.A.s are not properly taking into account the alternatives to locking people in prisons for life. The California Prison system is creating more criminalistic minds than deterring. The “California Department of Corrections” is not a valid name. There is no correction in the California prison system. What California needs is prevention not detention for nonviolent offenders.
(6) With the amount of respected supporters to amend the 3-strikes law it is obvious we have a serious problem with our Justice system.
Successful Alternatives
In closing I remember a saying as a child “A closed mouth cannot be fed.” Going through trial no one wanted to hear about DeLancey Street. They did not care I was working two jobs and had been following and maintaining all conditions of parole, and had a pregnant wife. No, they cared not one bit. Why would they choose incarceration for life - - - over a very respected rehabilitation program? This is the question I have asked myself for four years now. My prayer is you will let my voice be heard and search your conscience for what is True Justice. Tell me honestly, is there Justice?
Respectfully submitted,
Glen White E-63075
4B 3R 20R C.S.P. Corcoran
P.O. Box 3481
Corcoran, CA 93212-3481
Visit Glen's Pen Pal Page.
Time For Justice