As some jurisdictions across the country are calling for a reduction in the use of three strikes sentencing, the Massachusetts House voted for its use, according to this story in The Republican.

An excerpt.

“BOSTON — The state House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill that eliminates parole for three-time violent offenders, cuts a list of mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders and reduces the size of a school zone for certain drug charges.

“An habitual offender initiative – called “three strikes” – includes 40 crimes.

“The House voted 139-14 to approve the bill. The bill now moves to the Senate.

“I think it is a great bill,” said Rep. Angelo J. Puppolo, a Springfield Democrat and supporter. “It targets the worst of the habitual offenders. We want habitual offenders off the streets and off the streets for good.”

“Reps. Cheryl Coakley-Rivera and Benjamin Swan, both Springfield Democrats, voted against the bill.

“In a speech, Swan said the bill falls short because it fails to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug offenses.

“Swan said a disproportionate number of inmates in Massachusetts are black or Hispanic.

“We have a long way to go to deal with the system we are attempting to deal with,” said Swan.

“The bill would eliminate the possibility of parole for felons convicted three separate times of serious violent crimes ranging from murder to child rape to certain types of assault.

“Felons would have to be sentenced to at least three years in state prison for one of those crimes to qualify as a strike on their record.”