Part 1 of Essay
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 those imprisoned are Black, Latino or other people of color. ....

Part 2 of Essay
.... in the nation. California 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 g ....