Cocaine Offenders Could Go Free
posted 9:45 pm Tue November 13, 2007 - Washington
In May, the sentencing commission looked at the controversial difference between sentences given to crack offenders, versus powder-cocaine offenders.
Critics said the difference broke down along racial lines with african americans spending more time in prison. "Unfair because of crack; that was the catch for the African Americans to get caught up in."
The gap was narrowed November 1st for future convictions, but the panel is considering making the change retroactive meaning many prisoners could petition for release. If that happened, 19,500 inmates serving time could have their sentences reduced by about 27 months on average."I do have concerns as to whether if we have a significant increase of individuals coming into the community... whether that would have a serious impact on the crime problem," said Judge Reggie Walton, Criminal Law Committee.
Others said there's nothing to worry about. "They're not going to be coming out all at once and destroying communities... It's a no brainer, what's just is just."
In Virginia along, some 1,400 inmates would be eligible for the reductions, according to the commission.
The Bush administration is against re-sentencing because they said it could swamp federal courts and set potentially dangerous convicts free. A number of federal judge support the act.
Latest Comment on Cocaine Offenders Could Go Free
Pachacutec
8:49 am on 11/14/07
If it were just an issue of drug use, that would be one thing; however, cocaine of any kind costs money and a lot of these users are committing crimes to get money for their drugs. Sorry, but I'm just not terribly comfortable with the idea that druggies will be put back on the streets - I think that's one of the main reasons that our crime rate in the US has skyrocketed, is that the bad guys aren't kept in jail.
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