Stanford Three Strikes Project

Stanford Three Strikes Project The Three Strikes Project is based at Stanford Law School and staffed by law students to help free prisoners serving the longest sentences in the country.

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We are heartbroken to share the loss of Norman.After serving 28 years for a nonviolent offense, Norman came home two yea...
05/28/2026

We are heartbroken to share the loss of Norman.

After serving 28 years for a nonviolent offense, Norman came home two years ago at age 60 and made the most of every day he was given. He was one of our favorite clients—loyal, kind, and generous with his time and spirit. Norman had a gruff exterior and would be the first to call himself a “grumpy old man,” but beneath that was a very soft heart and a fierce commitment to the people around him.

An engineer at heart, he could fix just about anything. More importantly, he showed up for people. Norman became a mentor and steady presence for others coming home through the Three Strikes Project, offering guidance, encouragement, and friendship when it mattered most.

He died doing what he always did—standing up for a friend.

Tonight, we light a candle in his memory. We hope to honor him in the way we live and show up for others, just as he did. Rest in power, Norman. You are deeply missed.

🎓 Forrest Jones did it again.After spending 20 years in prison under California’s Three Strikes law for stealing a VCR, ...
05/18/2026

🎓 Forrest Jones did it again.

After spending 20 years in prison under California’s Three Strikes law for stealing a VCR, Forrest fought for his freedom — and we fought alongside him, winning his release in 2018. Along with project staff, Stanford Law student Anjuli Branz (SLS ‘19) battled hard for his freedom.

Today, at 62 years old, he’s a Cal State East Bay Master of Social Work graduate, featured on CBS News, and a living testament to what transformation through education looks like. 💪

From San Quentin to a masters degree. From surviving the system to changing it. We couldn’t be more proud of you, Forrest. 🙌

Honored to host Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen at Stanford Law School for a thoughtful conversation on ...
05/11/2026

Honored to host Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen at Stanford Law School for a thoughtful conversation on California’s Three Strikes Law and the evolving landscape of criminal justice reform. Grateful for the opportunity to engage in dialogue on policy, accountability, and the future of equitable justice.

Last week, three of our SLS students — Fiona, Radhika, and Kip — and our Fellow Lillian Siegel (SLS ‘23) drove nine hour...
05/05/2026

Last week, three of our SLS students — Fiona, Radhika, and Kip — and our Fellow Lillian Siegel (SLS ‘23) drove nine hours roundtrip to Corcoran State Prison to visit their clients: Fernando, Demitrius, and Rene.

Fernando (71 years old) is serving a life sentence for burglary. Demitrius, also serving life for burglary. Rene, for battery — spitting on an officer. All three have been incarcerated between 25 and 35 years under California’s Three Strikes law.

When our team sat down with Fernando, he told them something that stopped them in their tracks: this was the first time in his life he’d ever had a visitor.

Think about that.

Decades behind walls. A life sentence for a nonviolent offense. And no one had ever come.

This is why the Three Strikes Project exists — not just to fight for legal relief, but to show up. To remind our clients that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten.

We are proud of Fiona, Radhika, Kip, and Lillian. And we are honored to walk alongside Fernando, Demitrius, and Rene. 🖤🌲

This week, Three Strikes Project student Parker Grove (SLS ’26) visited her client Ronald at RJ Donovan Prison in San Di...
05/01/2026

This week, Three Strikes Project student Parker Grove (SLS ’26) visited her client Ronald at RJ Donovan Prison in San Diego, alongside Legal Project Coordinator Alex Romero and Senior Staff Attorney Lara Hoffman.

Ronald is a disabled veteran—and until this visit, he hadn’t received a single visitor in six years.

Moments like this are a powerful reminder that our work goes beyond legal advocacy. It’s about showing up, bearing witness, and ensuring that no one is forgotten.

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Ryan yesterday morning.For m...
03/26/2026

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William Ryan yesterday morning.

For more than two decades, Judge Ryan presided over post‑conviction and resentencing cases in downtown LA. Our team appeared before him more than 100 times, and through his work, he freed dozens of our clients.

Given the scope of California’s resentencing laws, the size of LA County, and his exceptional work ethic, it’s likely that no other judge in the country overturned more life sentences or ordered more people released from prison. Judge Ryan helped shape what’s now known as “second look” sentencing — a growing movement that gives people serving extreme sentences a true chance at redemption.

We didn’t always agree, but Judge Ryan cared deeply about justice, fairness, and his community. He was serious on the bench yet brought a quiet humor that reminded everyone of our shared humanity.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues. His legacy will live on in the lives he helped restore. ⚖️

Twenty years ago, Alaren was sentenced to 86 years to life under California’s Three Strikes law—for a series of nonviole...
03/26/2026

Twenty years ago, Alaren was sentenced to 86 years to life under California’s Three Strikes law—for a series of nonviolent crimes including possession of half a gram of methamphetamine.

Behind bars, with no hope of release, he made a different choice. He got sober. He joined every program he could. He became a certified drug counselor and helped others find the same strength he was fighting for himself.

His transformation was so remarkable that even prison officials took notice—and sent his case back to court.

Despite strong opposition from the DA, we fought hard for Alaren. A judge finally agreed his freedom was “in the interest of justice.”

So yesterday Alaren walked out of Folsom Prison into the arms of his big sister and the ARC Ride Home team. Their first stop: his mother’s grave. Then, on to Berkeley, to begin his next chapter.

“I am blessed and thankful for the support and love,” he told Three Strikes Project staff. And truly free for the first time in decades. Huge congratulations to Alaren and the whole Three Strikes team on this hard-fought win! 🌤💙

Today, our Deputy Director Susan Champion represented our client Eugene at a parole hearing at Corcoran State Prison. Eu...
03/11/2026

Today, our Deputy Director Susan Champion represented our client Eugene at a parole hearing at Corcoran State Prison. Eugene is 60 years old and has spent 25 years in prison for a nonviolent offense. Despite his age and accomplishments, the parole board denied his release.

California’s parole grant rates remain among the lowest in the nation, even for people who have long since demonstrated rehabilitation. Eugene’s story is a stark reminder of how urgently our system needs reform—and how far we still have to go to ensure justice.

We were honored to host an inspiring discussion at Stanford Law School with The Price of Mercy author Emily Galvin Alman...
02/23/2026

We were honored to host an inspiring discussion at Stanford Law School with The Price of Mercy author Emily Galvin Almanza ()—an SLS alum (‘10), former Three Strikes Project Fellow, and now the Executive Director of Partners for Justice ()—in conversation with Professor Matthew Clair.

Emily’s new book shares her journey as a public defender and her vision for transforming our broken system of “justice.”
We’re so proud to see her work continue to lead change. 💫⚖️

We were honored to host legendary defense attorney Mark Geragos at Stanford Law School. He walked us through his work ...
02/12/2026

We were honored to host legendary defense attorney Mark Geragos at Stanford Law School. He walked us through his work representing Erik and Lyle Menendez (alongside us at the Three Strikes Project!) in their resentencing fight, and what their case reveals about sentencing, narrative, and second chances.

From Susan McDougal and the Whitewater saga, to Winona Ryder, Michael Jackson, Scott Peterson, Chris Brown, and Colin Kaepernick, Geragos traced how high-profile cases collide with media, power, and public opinion.

Grateful for his candid insights on the craft of criminal defense—client counseling, plea negotiations, trial strategy, and staying grounded while standing next to people at the most consequential moments of their lives.

Days like this are why we love being .

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