A man who has served 36 years of a life sentence for stealing just $50.75 (£41) is to walk free in Alabama.
Alvin Kennard, 58, was jailed in 1983 under Alabama’s Habitual Felony Offender Act, a controversial “three strikes” law enacted in the 70s whereby repeat offenders automatically received harsh sentences regardless of the severity of their crime.
He was previously charged with burglary and grand larceny, making him eligible to be sentenced under the act, the Press Association reports.
His lawyer Carla Crowder argued that he would have received a 20-year maximum sentence under new guidelines.
She said Kennard plans to live with his family after his release and work in carpentry.