INTRODUCTION
            
             The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of the three strikes
             law. The research study will document the impact of the three strikes law
             on criminal behavior and activity, in an attempt to assess whether the law
             and similar laws act as an effective deterrent to crime. The research will
             be conducted of criminal activity in three major cities across the United
             States. The three strikes law was developed in California as a mechanism
             meant to lengthen sentences and deter crime, especially crime committed by
             repeat offenders. Recent studies have suggested however, that the three
             strikes law is less effective than its initial intended.
            
             Among the problems cited by citizens include its tendency to unfairly
             discriminate against certain minority populations, and the tendency to
             sentence individuals who normally may be classified as non-violent, minor
             criminals, as felony offenders. A majority of these "felony offenders" are
             serving sentences that are generally from 25 years to life, for what might
             be considered relatively minor crimes.
            
             The aim of this study is to investigate to what extent the three strikes
             law has actually worked in deterring crime. In addition to this, this
             study proposes to examine to what extent the three strikes law has resulted
             in successful incarceration of potentially violent criminals. In order to
             accurately assess the efficacy of the three strikes law, I have developed
             the following preliminary hypothesis:
            
             Null Hypothesis: The three strikes law is not an effective deterrent of
             crime, and often results in the unnecessary incarceration of non-violent
             criminals
            
             Alternative Hypothesis: The three strikes law is an effect crime
             deterrent, and is responsible for successfully reducing the proliferance of
             violent criminals on the streets.
            
             This study will also aspire to examine the extent to which three strikes
             laws may unfairly discriminate against certain...