Habitual Offenders

In reference to the three strikes laws regarding habitual offenders depending on what criminologist you speak with you will get a variety of answers.  One theory is based on a study that those inmates who served 25 to 30 years in prison showed a significant reduction in recidivism.  In other words, getting older is a deterrent.  Since we have several police officers in this class, think for a moment and ask yourselves, how many youths do you arrest vs offenders over say 60?  So here are a few questions.  #1 do the three strikes laws work, especially compared to the financial cost to the taxpayers.  Texas has a life without parole provision.  Or, does serving 25 to 30 years for the majority of habitual offenders make more sense?  In 2008, according to the book 140,095 prisoners were LWOP which represents  400% increase since 1984 during the beginning of the cocaine epidemic.  If you had the power to write all of the laws, would you keep 3 strikes laws or change them.  What specific category would you give LWOP?  For example, should sex offenders have a 3 strike law with LWOP?  Thoughts???