Thousands of federal prisoners could be released soon (crack cocaine re-thinking)

[rodeodance]

Sentences for crack offenses studied
Thousands of federal prisoners could be released soon

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21763002/

By Darryl Fears

updated 11:20 p.m. CT, Mon., Nov. 12, 2007
An independent panel is considering reducing the sentences of inmates incarcerated in federal prisons for crack cocaine offenses, which would make thousands of people immediately eligible to be freed.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission, which sets guidelines for federal prison sentences, established more lenient guidelines this spring for future crack cocaine offenders. The panel is scheduled to consider today a proposal to make the new guidelines retroactive.

Should the panel adopt the new policy, the sentences of 19,500 inmates would be reduced by an average of 27 months. About 3,800 inmates now imprisoned for possession and distribution of crack cocaine could be freed within the next year, according to the commission's analysis. The proposal would cover only inmates in federal prisons and not those in state correctional facilities, where the vast majority of people convicted of drug offenses are held.

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[flashl]

1. Sentencing guideline changes

is just ONE step toward addressing a crisis in the criminal justice system where blacks are disportionately incarcerated.

[ixion]

2. non-violent drug users should not be in prison... even if they're crackheads

IMO.

[DCKit]

3. Unfortunately, most crack and crystal users become violent....

Something about how the drugs damage the brain. But weed? I don't think so.