Washington was the first state in the nation to pass a 3-Strikes law and ours is the harshest. In 1993, voters approved the initiative which read: "By aiming at 3-time violent offenders, (593) targets the `worst of the worst' criminals."
This piece is by Ronald Peters, who is serving Life without parole under Washington's 3-Strikes law.
[Update: 5/31/08]
Message from Ron Peters at WA State Penitentiary
Ron Peters has read over the comments in this diary and written a response. Here it is for the public record (typed in by Noemie, written by Ron). The original diary starts below it, as indicated:
I'd like to clarify some things for the people on the national blog site Daily Kos and mostly let all of the respondents know that I truly appreciate them sharing their thoughts, feelings and perceptions as well as words of Wisdom, Inspiration and Support of myself and others similarly situated concerning this tough law and the issues it presents to everyone, from the Governor on down.
First, I apologize that the Bio' allowed some to believe that I was a full-blown speed addict at the age of Twelve (12). In fact, it was the first time that I had a needle stuck into my body that wasn't administered by a Doctor. As well, it did take away any fear of "The Needle" and made it much easier for me to become a full-blown Cocaine addict at the age of Seventeen (17). Although I had periodically used IV-Drugs in between times, I was using everything else, i.e. assorted pills, weed, speed, LSD, mushrooms, alcohol ect. without restraint for the mot part since those drugs were more accessible and affordable by a "pre-Teen" and "Teen." Also, to reiterate, it is my belief that I was doing these things to medicate, to be accepted among my peers. I was an emotional basket-case without being high.
I know, it's hard to believe that a Twelve-year-old could possibly be a willing participant in injecting drugs, but it's RUE. Believe, it's happening even in this day and age as well - watch "Nancy Grace" for a week. When I look back at my behavior and my age at that time I was doing it, it makes me cringe and fills my Heart with Sorrow to think that there are Children, today, that are not receiving the acceptance and positive reinforcement that every Kid needs and should get at Home, in the community and at School... and not just when a problem is identified... long before. That's where drug abuse and gang (acceptance) mentality spawns.
After a two-and-a-half-year "torture run" on IV-Cocaine use and abuse, and my first apprehension and plea of guilt to first degree Burglar in 984, I begged my Public Defender, my Family, Treatment Professionals, and the Court for help with my 'serious' problem. At my most vulnerable and sincerest moment in my Life, I was denied the opportunity based upon my lack of cooperation concerning the identification of an alleged co-defendant. Even years after that instance, I felt as though no one really cared, one way or the other. Meaning: whether I had a problem of any kind and whether or not I would be released back into the Community to succeed or fail in Life. This further perpetuated my perceptions that I was a worthless human being. Now, according to Washington State Law, I am considered one of the "worst of the worst." I'm heaped in with the "Green River Killer," the one with the "Forty-Eight Body Count," and we share the same sentence. Disparity.... what Justice?
I'm not a 'perfect person', nor is anyone else according to my Faith and Belief. I have never Raped, Sexually Molested or Killed another Human Being. And I don't say that to elevate my own position as to "get away with anything." Crimes should be punished based upon the particular circumstances of the individual, to include past and present behavior and the aggravating and/or mitigating circumstances relative thereto. Those determinations are better left to Judges and/or Juries to decide what kind of punishment an individual should receive in a given situation. Personally, as a side note, I feel that a "strike" offense should be based upon the degree of actual physical violence and not solely on fear and apprehension of violence.
In closing, I would like to thank all of those who have made it possible for me to share my personal situation with the World, otherwise it would not have happened, and those participants in the stimulating exchanges that have occurred on the Site. As well, I would like to thank those who have taken the time to take a glimpse of some of the terrible things that can happen to people, and merely for the lack of acceptance in the World, Great and Small. GOD Loves you All!
Original Diary:
I am 43 years old and I have been incarcerated more than 12 years under Washington's 3-Strikes, you're out! law. I was born in Tacoma and raised in the projects of East Tacoma where as a fat, introverted kid, I endured constant jibes by other children of the neighborhood. All I wanted was to be accepted and liked so this hurt me deeply. I was often upset to the point of physical confrontation.
My mother took very good care of my brother and me. She provided a good home for us, taught us right-from-wrong and without any assistance whatsoever. We were made to go to school during the week and to church on Sundays. However, drinking and drugging were accepted behaviors in our neighborhood when growing up. I was exposed to alcohol and drugs at a very early age.
My first experiences were with a baby sitter who gave me LSD once and smoked marijuana with me regularly. I felt guilty because I enjoyed the perceived relief of my anger and emotional pains that the drugs gave me. It medicated me. Well, then I had to try everything. At the age of 12, I was doing speed intravenously. I became a chronic drinker and smoker and I filled in the gaps with whatever I could find and/or try. I became a full-blown drug addict.
At the age of 17, I was using cocaine intravenously. Based on the exorbitant expense of the drug, my behavior became seriously criminal in order to supply my drug addiction and my need to medicate myself and mask my new-found shame. I had committed numerous acts of petty theft but cocaine abuse drove me to take many more risks and much more frequently. I turned into a recluse because of the paranoia (psychosis) that I was experiencing and I alienated myself from my family and friends because of the shame I felt. I started using larger and larger quantities of cocaine, not knowing or caring that the results might be suicidal. My self-esteem level was on the negative side of zero.
My crime spree ended with my arrest with what is now termed my first strike. I pled guilty to the charge. The sentencing judge recommended a 36-month sentence to the parole board. My attorney and I requested that I receive drug treatment. The judge denied that request based on the facts of the crime and my "lack of cooperation with authorities". At this time, the State was changing its sentencing schemes by removing the parole board entirely and limiting the judges' discretionary authority to tailor a sentence based on specific facts and an individual's past behavior by mandating restrictive sentencing ranges and mandatory minimum sentences. This is the sentencing system that is currently in effect today.
Based upon the new sentencing schemes, I ultimately received a 15 month sentence. By the time I received it, I had already served more than double that time. With no meaningful drug treatment, I managed to get paroled in July 1989... with my drug addictions still intact. It didn't take long and I was arrested again for my second strike robbery perpetrated with a toy pistol. I pled guilty and received a 53-month sentence and returned to society without any meaningful drug treatment and my addictions still intact.
Arrested again in September of 1995, my third strike of robbery with an inoperable, broken rifle. If I had learned one thing, it was not to use real weapons in the course of a crime because of the huge potential for someone to be seriously hurt and/or killed, neither of which has ever been my intent. The 3-Strikes law was now in effect and there were no plea deals offered at this time. I was convicted and sentenced to Life without the possibility of parole. I have appealed, lost, and initiated many other litigation attempts to expose the unfairness of the 3-Strikes law but to no avail. Had it not been for 3-Strikes, I would have been subject to a sentence ranging from 57 months to 75 months of confinement.
I have all but given up on faith and hope that the reality of this unbearably harsh law will come to light and in the public's eye and will bring about positive changes in the way that it is applied and that it truly be reserved for the worst of the worst. This is not to say that I don't deserve to be punished but I know that I'M NOT THE WORST OF THE WORST. I am not a disposable human being. Unfortunately for me, my addictions did not allow me to see as far as and/or beyond the consequences of my actions, but I still feel that the time should fit the crime with considerations given to the seriousness of the offense, motivation behind the offense, prior history, etc.
It's never been in my heart to physically harm another human being, although I cannot deny the psychological trauma that I've caused to my victims by my actions. I've never murdered, raped, or molested another human being, but reflections upon my past disturb my soul. I believe that this is so because I have truly matured during my years of incarceration. If nothing else, I can surely say that 3-Strikes has shown me where and how I don't want to spend the remainder of my natural life: in a cage with no real human contact that family and friends truly share. I often wonder what my life may have been like had I been granted an opportunity to participate in a drug treatment program? There are no answers, just speculation.
Concerning the cage for those who may be curious: Silk sheets could be issued (are not) but it still wouldn't change the fact that one is in a cage. One can eat only when allowed and a semblance of food is served by someone who dislikes prison-life as much as the next guy, has bad hygiene, no respect for others, and a bad attitude. The highlight of the day is going to work if you are lucky enough to have a job and do menial and mindless tasks. Perhaps you're real lucky and work in the Industrial Area in exchange for a maximum of $1.10 per hour which is reduced by deductions for crime victim compensation, cost of incarceration, and legal financial obligations and able to participate in dehumanizing skin searches to and from the work area.
This is to say nothing of the daily torment of being treated as sub-human by many sadistically, robotic people. Many of these people forget that people are people are people and that we all have our own individual problems, quirks, and needs. It is a rare and special moment to be treated with basic human decency and respect, almost like real people.
Despite all of it, I strive to practice what I preach. I try to be up-beat, cheery and decent to all that I come in contact with. If I were to be released this very moment, my desire for the remainder of my life would be to be normal (drug and crime free) and productive, to build and have normal relationships with my family and friends, to love and be loved.
One of the most crushing things is that my mother is getting older. She raised me right and I am not there for her. I feel like I've betrayed her. And I have.
One more chance and I'd make it right--for my mother and other family, for myself, and for society at large. I doubt that I could ever make up for all the wreckage that I've caused in my life, but I sure would like to sincerely try.
Ronald Peters