Sentence Reductions Begin in Calif. Due to Three-Strikes Law Reform

Prisoners given life sentences for minor third crimes slowly being freed

SAN BERNARDINO • After many voted in favor of Proposition 36, San Bernardino County leads the way in granting eligible inmates release under the now modified law, according to recently released data.

Majorities in every California county voted last fall to scale back the state's Three Strikes law so thousands of inmates serving life sentences for relatively minor third offenses would have the chance to be set free.

Five months later, there is no such unanimity among counties when it comes to carrying out the voters' wishes.