U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Three Strikes and You're Out: A Review of State Legislation, Research in Brief
NCJ Number
              165369

Author(s)
          J  Clark;
                        J  Austin;
                        D A Henry
Date Published

September 1997
Length
              16 pages
Publication Series
          NIJ Research in Brief
Annotation
              Between 1993 and 1995, 24 States added three-strikes laws to already existing laws that enhanced sentencing for repeat offenders.
Abstract
              The rapid expansion of such laws reflects perceptions that existing laws were not sufficiently protective of public safety in their application and/or outcome, that new laws were needed to address exceptional incidents, or that the intent of existing laws was being frustrated by other factors. An analysis of the three-strikes law in Washington indicates planners expected between 40 and 75 persons would fall under three-strikes provisions each year. However, more than 3 years after the law took effect, only 85 offenders have been admitted to the State prison system under the law. All but one of these 85 offenders have been sentenced for crimes against persons. California's prison system has admitted many more three-strikes offenders than any other State since April 1994, more than 26,000 as of December 1996. Most three strikes inmates in California have been sentenced under the two-strikes provision and for nonviolent crimes. The analysis of three-strikes laws in the 24 States reveals States have authorized longer periods of incarceration for those convicted of violent crimes, what constitutes a strike and under what conditions varies among States, and States differ as to what sanction will be imposed when sufficient strikes have accumulated. Early evidence shows that, with the exception of California, most three-strikes laws will have minimal impact on State prison systems because they were drafted to apply to only the most violent repeat offenders. 20 notes and 10 exhibits
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        95-IJ-CX-0026


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Legislation/Policy Analysis
    
  
  
Date Published: September 1, 1997
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF
                  Text

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Corrections
        Courts
        Habitual offenders
        Policy
        Publication/report



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Is It an Accident or Abuse? Researchers Develop Predictive Models for Pediatric Head Injuries
                  Unauthorized Immigration, Crime, and Recidivism: Evidence from Texas
                  Obstacles and facilitators to intimate bystanders reporting violent extremism or targeted violence
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov