Repeat Offenders Don't Care About the 3 Strike Rule

3 Strikes and you are out. Sounds like baseball, but it is also an implementation into the judicial system, from where baseball was the derived term. The 3 strike rule caters to repeat felons and has been constructed to reduce crime and hold repeat offenders accountable. Its design is with the intent to discourage criminals whom commit felonies from repeating these felony crimes and tarnishing society as a whole. However, studies have shown that the 3 strike rule has actually had some adverse affects in terms of repeat offenders continuing their spree of crime. In a study reported by totalcriminaldefense.com, it was found that repeat offenders that are faced with their third strike are actually 20% more likely to not only commit another felony crime, but also a crime of great magnitude. The theory here is that the mind of the criminal whom may have two strikes thinks; "Might as well go out with a bang."

This, amongst the over populated jails across the nation has put the 3 strike rule on the back-burner. Instead of a straightforward sentence of life in prison, which is a sentence of a repeat felony offender under the 3 strike rule, the case is handled more personally and there may be a sentence therefore of 25 years instead. The loop hole to the 3 strike rule has been implemented to reduce jail overpopulation and the result of other criminals with lesser charges being released from prison early due to the effect. This in turn has derived a more formal name to represent those repeat offenders; "habitual offenders!" It simply refers to repeat offenders of some felony crime, where particular crimes like repeat DUI charges would earn the criminal a substantial sentence during the third repeated offense, but also a light a the end of the tunnel for them. The website also has a itemized list of states that incorporate the 3 strike or habitual offense rule as of 2009, but make it clear that the list is subject to change.

In all, it seems that repeat punishment like the 3 strike rule, isn't always the best solution for criminals in the desire for them to discontinue their criminal acts. Just take a look at the man whom was arrested over 250 times. Even though his crimes were no felonies, he still hasn't been discouraged with commiting crime through the counless sentences from the assortment of judges that he's faced. Looking into the lives of these offenders and perhaps offering a solution to the problem, versus sweeping them under the rug of repeated trips to prison, may lie a solution to the repetitive nature the criminal possesses. Perhaps more investment in therapy may be part of the solution, education and/or a constructive and mandatory alternative for which their energy can be transferred, as with work release programs.

For example, in the state of Illinois, there are such provisions to offenders that provide them leverage for being released from jail with programs through a work release center . This type of program gives incentive for criminals and perhaps provide them with a different sense of thought as far as engaging in another criminal act after being released. Hope has been known for years to provide great motivation to many and without hope, there is a destined act of violence. It is like any person that has their back up against the wall and nothing else to lose. If everything has been stripped away and they feel that they are headed for an ultimate demise, then the thought process is to take as many as they can with them on their trip. Misery loves company and putting many people in a miserable state and under miserable circumstances will most certainly ensure that they will try to spread the wealth that is their ill fate. The end result can therefore only be detrimental.

http://www.idoc.state.il.us/subsections/faq/default.shtml
http://www.totalcriminaldefense.com/overview/three-strikes-law.aspx total defense.com
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7710396/who_gets_arrested_250_times_well_this.html?cat=17