Beginning in the mid-1970s, Congress began to lengthen sentences, culminating in the 1984 Comprehensive Crime Control Act, which established mandatory minimum sentences and eliminated federal parole.

When did mandatory sentences start?

In 1994, California introduced a "Three Strikes Law", which was the first mandatory sentencing law to gain widespread publicity. This state is known for fully enforcing laws and is considered most severe in comparison to other states.

When did mandatory sentencing begin in Australia?

Mandatory sentences were enacted in 1996 as a result of amendments to the Western Australia Criminal Code . The amendments required the imposition of a minimum twelve-month prison term for repeat adult and juvenile offenders convicted of residential burglary.