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The United States is locking up people at an unprecedented rate. There are now 1.75 million people in state and federal prisons in the U.S.--up from 1 million people just four years ago. Young Black and Latino men are bearing the brunt of this. Over 70 percent of ....

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.... Three Strikes Law The three strikes law has made it possible for people with earlier convictions to be sentenced to life in prison for relatively minor offenses--including "petty theft with a prior conviction," possession of small amounts of drugs, receiving stolen property, or being caught in possession of a handgun. Here are some of its provisions: The three strikes rule: People convicted of a third felony, after two previous convictions for "serious or violent" felonies, are given mandatory sentences of at least 25 years to life. In California, burglary is considered a "serious felony." And, the third strike itself does not have to be a serious or ....