This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 1043986208319456v1 24/4/345    most recent References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Chen, E. Y. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Impacts of "Three Strikes and You're Out" on Crime Trends in California and Throughout the United States

Santa Clara University

The impacts of Three Strikes on crime in California and throughout the United States are analyzed using cross-sectional time series analysis of state-level data from 1986 to 2005. The model measures both deterrence and incapacitation effects, controlling for preexisting crime trends and economic, demographic, and policy factors. Despite limited use outside California, the presence of a Three Strikes law appears to be associated with slightly but significantly faster rates of decline in robbery, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft nationwide. Three Strikes also is associated with slower declines in murder rates. Although California's law is the broadest and most frequently used Three Strikes policy, it has not produced greater incapacitation effects on crime than other states' far more limited laws. The analyses indicate that the toughest sentencing policy is not necessarily the most effective option.

Key Words: Three Strikes • mandatory sentencing • California

This version was published on November 1, 2008

Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, Vol. 24, No. 4, 345-370 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1043986208319456


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?