California

Brian P.:
Brian had never been a violent or difficult child, but like many he entered a rebellious phase around the time he entered junior high school. His rebelling was never worse than smoking after curfew until he became the target of a local Chinese gang for dumping a girl with indirect gang ties. The gang terrorized Brian, even firing at his house on his 16th birthday. Fearing for his life, Brian went to a local restaurant to meet some friends carrying a gun. On edge, Brian later fired a gun at an unrelated group of men who were trying to pick a fight with him, killing one. He was tried as an adult and given 45-years-to-life for his crime.

Brian W.:
The focus of a long and bitter custody battle between his parents, Brian developed a bad attitude and found a sense of belonging through the neighborhood gang. Being sent to juvenile hall numerous times did little to reform him, and at 16 years old he participated in a gang shooting and was sentenced as an adult to 16-years-to-life. While in prison, he embraced religion and tried to turn his life around. He completed trade classes and even completed coursework toward a college degree. Regardless of his attempts at reform, the parole board’s decision to release him on parole was overturned three times by Governor Davis and once by Governor Schwarzenegger.