Stanford Three Strikes Project

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Stanford Three Strikes Project

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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.

09/02/2026

Team building, Giants style! The Three Strikes Project crew traded briefs for foul balls at Oracle Park. Nothing like a day at the ballpark to recharge the team fighting for justice. ⚾️

06/24/2026

Today in San Bernardino Superior Court, Three Strikes Project Director Mike Romano and Fellow Lillian Siegel advocated for our client’s release under California’s Racial Justice Act.

Our client, who was sentenced to 40-years-to-life in prison in 2017 for a second-degree robbery, sought relief under a law designed to confront and remedy racial bias in the justice system.

While we are deeply disappointed that the court denied the motion, our commitment to this work remains unwavering. We will continue to fight for fairness, accountability, and the promise of equal justice under the law.

06/08/2026

As the school year winds to a close at Stanford, we took a moment for some bowling fun to thank and celebrate our students who work on every aspect of our cases and without whom we would be lost. Our students play a vital role in our litigation—helping research claims, draft filings, meeting with our clients in prison, and pushing their cases forward. We couldn’t be more thankful for their hard work and commitment, and we wish our graduating 3Ls the very best on graduation and the bar exam!

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.

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. 🙌

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.

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. 🖤🌲

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.

Address

559 Nathan Abbott Way
Stanford, CA
94305

Website

http://www.threestrikesproject.org/

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