Basically every president after Reagan wanted to out do Reagan and show that they were "tough on crime".
Clinton implemented the law to where you're caught three times, you're done. First and second times you're branded, can't get a job because of your record, and if you can't get a job they'll put you back into corrections. You're not even eligible for safety nets such as food stamps and housing. Then if they catch you for the third time you serve an automatic life sentence. I dealt with this with my brother for like 15 years smh. He got out a year ago today. fukked up how his PO and the entire system set him up to fail. Literally lost the second father figure in my life because he was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and the drugs wasn't even his. He was cooped up for years with violent offenders, like people who legit raped and killed. I don't know how he didn't lose his mind. That's why I hate the term thug and I hate black people who demonize "criminals" with a record, treating em like they ain't shyt. Most of em was in there for drug crimes and the three strikes rule. It's not like they have the support of their damn family.