Matthew Cox | Inside True Crime Podcast Exposing California's 3 Strike Law | How He Survived a Life Sentence
Nov 26, 2025
Chris Curtis, a former inmate and author, shares his gripping journey from a life sentence under California's Three Strikes Law to becoming a beacon of hope. He discusses his early exposure to drugs, transformation in prison through education, and the turning point that led him to recovery. Curtis now empowers at-risk youth through his nonprofit, emphasizing the importance of trades as a pathway to stability. He also warns about the dangers of fentanyl, while sharing his personal success story of love and redemption post-release.
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First Drug Use With His Father
- Chris Curtis recounts being given cocaine by his father as a child and instantly loving it.
- That moment began a long slide into addiction and criminal behavior that shaped his life trajectory.
High-Speed Chase And Arrest
- Chris describes a confrontation where he pulled a gun, shot at attackers, then went on the run.
- He later crashed his motorcycle during a 110 mph chase and was arrested after hiding in a janitor's closet.
Pleading Into The Strike System
- Chris explains pleading and receiving two strikes, which meant facing dangerous prison yards and potential life terms.
- He spent years on violent yards but survived and used the time to begin changing his life.
