Three strikes law of California Proposition 184 of March 1994: A policy analysis

The purpose of this study was to present an analysis of the three strikes law enacted in 1994 in California in response to increased crime by repeat offenders. An emphasis was placed on the policy's effect on minority communities particularly Black and Hispanic. The three strikes legislation has had a significant impact on the political arena of California since its implementation. Supporters of the three strikes law rationalized the law as being necessary to protect society from violent career criminals. However, the law has not achieved either of these goals effectively. The law has lead to increased prison population, and has had a huge impact on minority communities who compose a large percentage of people prosecuted under the law. The law has been fiscally and socially expensive without producing the benefits its proponents promised.