The three strike policy was started to reduce repeat offenders of serious crime and it was passed in 1993. The policy was thought to have a great impact on society and reduce the crime rate. The crime rate was on the raise with offenders and the crimes that was being committed was violent and very serious. With the crime rate increasing, more offenders became felonies, something had to be done to try to reduce the crime rate. The policy is directed towards felony crimes and it is used to reduce an offender repeating the more serious crimes or violent crimes. Even though this policy is in place not every county or state use this policy. The three strike law policy was meant for good but have some negative impacts. …show more content…
In 2012, Massachusetts became the most recent state to hold offenders accountable to the three Strike law. The law mandates that an offender who has been convicted of a felony two or more times will automally be considered a "habitual offender" and sentenced to the maximum term. Not only did it push the maximum sentence, it did not allow possibility of probation, parole, work release, from an offender that was considerate a habitual offender. Three Strikes law in Massachusetts was looking to change the law a little because of the fear that it would over crowd the appellate courts and the prison systems with offenders… (Baran)
In the article Impacts of 'Three Strikes and You're Out' on Crime Trends in California and Throughout the United States by Chen, it was discussed the impact of the three strike and how it have affect California. The article had some positive insight about the three strike policy that was passed. Chen talked about the report that was run on the state in 1998 and …show more content…
Revisiting the issue in a 2005 report, Reynolds cited a 46% decline in the index crime rate from 1992 to 2002 and again asserted that the data proved the law’s success, proclaiming, “The reduction in crime that occurred after the passage of 3-Strikes speaks for itself . . . any objective assessment would credit 3-Strikes with playing a major role in California’s record crimes [sic] drops” (Reynolds, 2005).”
From this information it seems that the passing of the three strike law have reduce crime rate in the state and have had a positive impact on the state. Other states should follow in California footsteps and accept the policy.
The three strike law have made a major impact in the criminal justice system and in the states that it was passed in, there have been some changes in crime. There have also been a few negative with the overcrowding in the prison and many people not backing up the policy.
If more positive get forced on than the policy have a chance to be accepted in the remaining states.
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