Kelly and her attorney on the day of her release

On Tuesday, September 8, 2009, after serving 13 years in prison for a low level forgery, Kelly Turner was granted her freedom.  Through the dedication of her attorneys and her family, a way was found for Kelly to come home.  She visited the FACTS office this week and expressed her deepest appreciation for our role in educating the public about the brutality of Three Strikes.   In her, Strikers have a strong advocate in the fight for their freedom and FACTS has gained a powerful and dedicated educator and fundraiser.

Our relationship with Kelly began ten years ago when, FACTS, under the leadership of Third Striker Reggie Ellis, began to organize Strikers inside.  Within a short time Inside FACTS organizers were in almost all the prisons in the State.  Among these amazing men and women was Kelly Turner, a beautiful sister who came to us with optimism, creativity, hope, humor and dedication.  She was a regular contributor to the Inside FACTS Striker.  With each issue came new ideas to educate the public, new campaigns in the pursuit of the road to freedom. 

Six years ago, Kelly wrote and self-published "The Art of Incarcerated Culinary" written in prison with recipes for those similarly situated and/or for folks on camping trips, or those living near poverty, or below, in today's difficult economy and doing without stoves and other luxuries.  The book is available for sale at www.facts1.net  In the book's dedication she writes; "This book is for all California Three Strikers who are serving 25-years to life sentences for nonviolent offenses, which include stealing a piece of pizza or videotapes, and forging checks.  We are on our way to a new beginning".