Mandatory Minimum Sentences Vs Three Strikes

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Pages: 2

In recent years, the incarceration rate in the United States has grown substantially, claiming it as the highest incarceration rate in the world. There are many factors that have led to such high rates of formal social control, such as mandatory minimum sentences, "three strikes" laws, and recidivism as a whole. The public may argue that mandatory minimum sentences and "three strikes" laws avert crime, but this statement is still up in the air.

Firstly, mandatory minimum sentences are a main contributor to our high incarceration rate. These harsh sentences unequally affect non-violent offenders, which leads to overpopulated prisons. Additionally, prisons tend to overlook the rehabilitation that is needed for prisoners to fix their behavior