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After U.S. Sentencing Commission Ruling, 91 Crack Cocaine Inmates in Massachusetts Could Reduce Their Prison Sentences

By Altman & Altman

In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Sentencing Commission wants to retroactively reduce the prison sentences of approximately 19,500 federal inmates convicted of crack cocaine charges. The decision is intended to lighten sentences retroactively for certain crimes related to crack cocaine and narrow the disparity between sentences for cocaine powder and crack cocaine. Crack cocaine was previously thought to be more dangerous. The U.S. sentencing commission recently reduced the sentences for crack cocaine possession, effective November 1. Under the Sentencing Act of 1984, lowering the penalties for a crime is retroactive. 86% o the 19,500 prisoners serving sentences for crack cocaine convictions are black. Some 3,800 prisoners could be released within one year of the March 3 effective date, which will give prison officials and judges time to handle a number of issues, including public safety...continue to full post

Full post as published by Boston Criminal lawyer Blog on December 21, 2007 (boomark / email).