Economic Reasons Against 3-Strikes
The 3-Strikes law is the epitome of legislation that is helping create a growing
prison industrial complex. Taxpayers are paying for a new welfare state: We are supporting
many people who are unjustly in prison and we are supporting those who are guarding them.
What is most disturbing about the growing prison industrial complex is the amount of
money that circles its way back to the politicians in campaign contributions. The more
politicians can make the prison system grow, the more they can build their political
coffers. Is crime policy based on "reason" or "greed?"
In addition, because of the severity of a sentence of 25 years to life, many
3-Strikers are going to trial rather than pleading guilty--which is leading to a huge
bottleneck in the court system.
The following are some statistics and comments from books and articles on the growing
prison industrial complex and the problems in the court system. PLEASE SEND US NEW DATA
AND ARTICLES IF YOU HAVE THEM.
Please send questions or comments to factsla@sbcglobal.net.
Everything on this web site can be distributed to the general public, reprinted, or
reposted without permission of Families to Amend California's 3-Strikes.
Date last modified: 11/25/97.
