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Law

An Unlikely Advocate For Second Chances

Noemie Maxwell

The deed that landed Paul Rivers in jail for the rest of his life wasn’t a murder, it was stealing $330 from an espresso stand in Seattle’s University District. It was his third felony under Washington’s three strikes law.

That was back in 1993. He was 21 years old. After more than two decades in prison Rivers said, "I am no longer a threat to society.

Rivers laid out the reasons why he should be released last week before Washington's Clemency and Pardons Board in Olympia. He has an unlikely ally;  King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg. He told the board that if Rivers’ case came across his desk today, “I would not seek a life sentence.”

 

Four times a year, a handful of convicted felons get the opportunity to ask the state Clemency and Pardons board for their release. Sometimes, Satterberg comes to these hearings and argues why certain individuals should go free.

 

  Why would a man whose job involves putting people behind bars do this? Satterberg said the answer is simple; injustice needs to be corrected.

 

When the three strikes law was first enacted it was leveled with a heavy hand. People were being locked up forever for crimes that in the past would have carried 20 month sentences.

 

“And while 20 months might not seem long enough for people forever seems like a disproportionate sentence,” said Satterberg.  “So at a point of when people have served about 15 years is when we start to take a really hard look at what can we do to evaluate this case and try to arrive at some justice. And I think justice in many cases, requires the governor to grant clemency.”

 

These days prosecutors use a lot more discretion when they apply the three strikes law. Back in Olympia, the Clemency and Parole board voted unanimously to approve Rivers’ request for release. Rivers  expressed his gratitude to the board over the phone from prison.

 

“I appreciate everybody. Thank you. Alright!”

Governor Jay Inslee will have the final say on whether Rivers is set free. SInce he has been governor Inslee has granted clemency to 8 prisoners. He has denied 14 requests.

Law
Jennifer Wing is a former KNKX reporter and producer who worked on the show Sound Effect and Transmission podcast.