| The purpose of this thesis was to analyze California's Three Strikes Law by using David Gil's social policy analysis framework. The thesis analyzed the direct and indirect impact that the law had on families, communities, women, ethnic minorities and substance abusers. The results indicated that women and those confronted with substance abuse issues were directly impacted by the law creating a immediate peek in arrests resulting in first, second and third strikes. The findings also illustrated that African Americans and Latinos represent the majority of second and third strikers in California prisons at disproportionate rates. Though the law was intended to incarcerate repeated and violent offenders, the law has subsequently imprisoned many non-violent offenders. The law has also negatively impacted the states economical budget leading to cuts in social service, county funding and educational institutions. |
