So the problem with this has always been racially charged. Crack and cocaine - although essentially the same substance - carry very different incarceration sentences. Crack is typically a drug found in African American neighborhoods while cocaine is typically used by White Americans. Before the President signed a law today, a person found with 5 gram of crack would receive a mandatory sentence of 5 years, while that same person would have to carry at least 500 grams of powdered cocaine to receive that same sentence. HUGE DISPARITY.
By signing this into law the President is hoping to reduce this 100-1 ratio to a ratio of 18-1. Still not completely resolved but we are making progress.
Hopefully this will help reduce the overcrowded prisons, save taxpayer money, and allow the federal law enforcement to focus on 'more major' crimes. God knows we all need that.
*I advise you all to read up more on this issue.*
No comments:
Post a Comment