Three Strikes Law Spikes Homicide Rate Library: LIF-SOC Keywords: THREE STRIKES LAW HOMICIDE RATE Description: A study finds that increased homicide rates may be an unintended consequence of "three strikes" legislation. (Criminology & Public Policy)
A study published in the journal Criminology & Public Policy finds that increased homicide rates may be an unintended consequence of "three strikes" legislation. UAB criminologists analyzed crime data from 188 U.S. cities to examine the possible "homicide promoting effects of the laws." They found that cities in states with three strikes laws experienced a 13 to 14 percent increase in homicide rates after implementing the laws. "Criminals perceive that they will get the same punishment for murder as they would for having a third strike," says UAB criminologist and study co-author John Sloan, Ph.D. "So they may try to kill victims or police officers to avoid detection." The study's authors say these findings are a prime example of unintended negative consequences derived directly from legislative policy.
Contact Gail Short, Media Relations, 205-934-8931 or gshort at uab.edu.
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