For years Blacks have argued about the disproportionately higher incarceration sentences that our men and women face regarding crack-cocaine offences. It’s been no secret that individuals arrested and charged with such offenses generally received the same or even stricter sentences than those with powder-cocaine offences. The reason such a disproportionate factor exists is because previously a person with one gram of crack would receive the same sentence as someone with 100 grams of the powder substance.
In addition to the discriminatory practices regarding the type of cocaine, experts say that there is also a race factor involved as most crack users are Black and considered “lower class,” while individuals who use powder cocaine are generally white.
Now, however, such disparities are being addressed and many who were slighted by the federal government may likely be freed.
On Monday the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that federal judges have the discretion to reduce the prison terms for crack-cocaine crimes. This 7-2 ruling is an effort to reduce the huge disparity with crimes that involve powder cocaine. The U.S. Sentencing Commission, which advises all three branches of government, has allowed individuals who are currently incarcerated for crack offences to request lighter sentences. It’s estimated that judges may reduce the sentences of as many 20,000 inmates.
What may be surprising to some is of these 20,000 inmates eligible for reduced sentences, a large number are women who were arrested; not because they were drug dealers, but simply because their boyfriend or husbands were, which led to these women being sentenced on possession charges.
There are several lessons to be learned here; the first being that women should watch whom they associate themselves with. When I was in high school I remember how some girls thought it was cool to not only have an older boyfriend, but also one who sold drugs and had large amounts of money. Unfortunately, such characteristics remain a top priority on the lists of many young girls and women.
However, what’s even more unfortunate is that when their boyfriend/husband is caught (and he will eventually get caught), these women are also charged and generally get the same amount of time as their significant other.
So, regardless of the lighter sentences that are now new guidelines, it still doesn’t pay to associate yourself with a person who is involved with drugs.
Another lesson to learn from the new sentencing guidelines is that there are many people and organizations that opposed such action.
The Justice Department is one entity that was against the ruling in fear that there will be many defendants who are released despite their violent offences, which can result in dangerous people being placed back into society with an increased probability of committing more crimes.
Deborah Rhodes, an associate deputy attorney general for the department says its concerned “that so many people would be released all at once — people who have shown that they are repeat offenders — and without the possibility of any kind of transition or re-entry program to bring them from prison back to the streets.”
With this said, people shouldn’t take advantage of the new guidelines; thus giving the federal government reason to institute harsher policies later.
It’s refreshing to see that action is being taken relative to various forms of discrimination, but this doesn’t mean that everything will be perfect and harmonious. The federal government still has a long way to go in an effort to address the vast disproportional elements that our country faces.
