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Harvard
Study
Finds
Mandatory
Sentences
Wasteful
12/5/97
A study of drug offenders serving long, mandatory sentences in Massachusetts
found that nearly 83% were African American or Latino and that 2/3 had
never been convicted of a violent crime. William Brownsberger, a state
assistant attorney general, led the study which was conducted at Harvard
Medical School. According to Mr. Brownsberger, "Mandatory sentencing
laws are wasting prison resources on non-violent, low-level offenders and
reducing resources available to lock up violent offenders."
The study, "Profile of Anti-Drug Law Enforcement in Urban Poverty
Areas in Massachusetts," comes on the heels of anther study, conducted
by the Rand Corporation, which found that mandatory minimum sentences were
less cost-effective than traditional sentences. The Harvard study shows
that the rate of admission to state correctional facilities for Latinos
was 81 times that of whites. The African American rate is 39 times the
white rate.
"Incarceration rates among blacks and Hispanics are damagingly
high," said Brownsberger. "This study underscores how mandatory
minimum sentencing for drug- related offenses is cheapening the deterrent
effect of punishment. Overuse of incarceration can worsen the crime situation."
The study notes that state drug sentences were often harsher than those
for crimes such as manslaughter and armed robbery.
NOTE: We were very pleased at the great response from our subscribers
to our November 20 alert, "Take action against mandatory minimums."
For those of you who haven't yet done so, there's still time to contact
your legislators and have your voice heard. Tell them about the Harvard
study! Archived at http://www.drcnet.org/rapid/1997/11-20-1.html.
If you want to learn more about mandatory minimum sentencing, and what
can be done to reform the law, please contact Families Against Mandatory
Minimums (FAMM). Their phone number is (202) 822-6700. You can also find
them on the web at http://www.famm.org
-- tell them DRCNet sent you.
-- END --
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Issue #21, 12/5/97
British Correspondents Needed for The Week Online | Harvard Study Finds Mandatory Sentences Wasteful | Study Finds Racial Disparities in Drug Sentences in Alabama: Really? Hmm | Clinton Backs UN Drug Czar's Plan to Give Economic Aid to the Taliban in Exchange for Opium Eradication | New Hampshire Legislator Introduces Medical Marijuana, Hemp Bills: "It's time to discuss these issues" says lawmaker | Prohibition-Induced Gang Warfare on Native American Reservation: 50 shots fired between children battling over drug turf | Colombia Passes Extradition Legislation... But it Won't be Retroactive | Mexico: Gun Battle at Border Kills Guard, and Newspaper Editor Shot by Cartel. More Prohibition-related violence | UK's New "Drug Czar" Rejects Legalization of Cannabis | Quote of the Week: Mr. Hellawell should hear what was said about the possibility of repealing Alcohol Prohibition in America! | Drug Policy Institute Accepting Applications | Editorial: Supporting barbarians in the drug war
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