Three Strikes
The cost of “Three Strikes”
By J. Carter
In the late 80’s the state of California was in it worst economic slump since the great depression of the 1920’s. People who wanted to work couldn’t find jobs. Some people turned to crime to feed themselves and survive. Meanwhile, crack cocaine was having a devastating effect on low-income communities. Public safety was a major issue for California. History shows us that in bad economic times crime will be more prevalent. Crime waves follow the economy and demographics. Its simple, the more young and unemployed people there are in the state, the higher crime rates will be. Proposition 184 was put on the ballot under the title “Three Strike and Your Out”. It was drafted to keep repeat offender in prison. The inititive passed by a wide margin votes. Oven time the Three Strikes law has proven to be a heavy burden to the state’s budget. The law has been costly to taxpayers as the inmate population increased substantially. As California faces tough economic times major reform is needed and a different approach is needed to combat crime. Handing out lengthy sentences and locking more people up isn’t the answer. Changing the sentencing guidelines of the three strikes law wont fix the states problems, but would free up some much needed money. In 1991 the “tough on crime” Governor Pete Wilson was elected. Wilson was a staunch supporter of the popular but controversial “Three Strikes” law. Two years into Governor Wilson’s first term, the people of California already sickened by public safety issues, were further outraged when a parolee abducted and murdered Polly Klaas. Polly’s father Mark Klaas lobbied diligently for passing the “Three Strikes” law, in which an individual with a prior serious or violent felony conviction, would a receive 25 to life sentence if convicted for any two non violent felonies. Several parts of the law are little known to the public. If you have one serious or violent felony, and you are convicted
By J. Carter
In the late 80’s the state of California was in it worst economic slump since the great depression of the 1920’s. People who wanted to work couldn’t find jobs. Some people turned to crime to feed themselves and survive. Meanwhile, crack cocaine was having a devastating effect on low-income communities. Public safety was a major issue for California. History shows us that in bad economic times crime will be more prevalent. Crime waves follow the economy and demographics. Its simple, the more young and unemployed people there are in the state, the higher crime rates will be. Proposition 184 was put on the ballot under the title “Three Strike and Your Out”. It was drafted to keep repeat offender in prison. The inititive passed by a wide margin votes. Oven time the Three Strikes law has proven to be a heavy burden to the state’s budget. The law has been costly to taxpayers as the inmate population increased substantially. As California faces tough economic times major reform is needed and a different approach is needed to combat crime. Handing out lengthy sentences and locking more people up isn’t the answer. Changing the sentencing guidelines of the three strikes law wont fix the states problems, but would free up some much needed money. In 1991 the “tough on crime” Governor Pete Wilson was elected. Wilson was a staunch supporter of the popular but controversial “Three Strikes” law. Two years into Governor Wilson’s first term, the people of California already sickened by public safety issues, were further outraged when a parolee abducted and murdered Polly Klaas. Polly’s father Mark Klaas lobbied diligently for passing the “Three Strikes” law, in which an individual with a prior serious or violent felony conviction, would a receive 25 to life sentence if convicted for any two non violent felonies. Several parts of the law are little known to the public. If you have one serious or violent felony, and you are convicted