Pubdate: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 Source: Charlotte Observer (NC) Copyright: 2007 The Charlotte Observer Contact: http://www.charlotte.com/observer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) A MATTER OF FAIRNESS But is system ready for release of crack cocaine offenders? The U.S. Sentencing Commission is on the verge of rewriting federal sentencing rules to pare a minimum of two years off the sentences of nearly 20,000 inmates in federal prison on charges related to crack, a potent form of cocaine that can be smoked rather than inhaled. That's a good idea -- but it will create problems that should be dealt with beforehand. The rewrite is part of an effort to reduce the disparity in sentences for crack cocaine and powder cocaine offenses. Those who use and sell crack serve much longer sentences than those convicted of similar powder cocaine offenses. In fact, experts say it may take an offense involving up to 100 times as much powder cocaine to trigger the same level of sentences created to deal with the crack cocaine epidemic. Policymakers feared crack would produce more violent offenders who deserved the longer sentences. The result has been to send a number of low-level offenders to prison for long, costly stays without punishing high-level drug distributors. About eight in every 10 inmates are black. Advocates point out that the sentencing disparity likely overstates the relative threat from crack cocaine offenders. The Sentencing Commission already has reduced the guidelines for terms to be served by future crack offenders. Now it's considering a policy that would shorten sentences of offenders now in prison and free up to 2,500 inmates in the next year. That would represent the beginning of the largest releases of prisoners in the 20-year history of the commission, according to the Los Angeles Times. That raises this question: Is the federal criminal justice system prepared for such a large release of inmates? Is it equipped to help those inmates make a successful transition back into society without returning to the same habits that led them to use or sell crack cocaine in the first place? If not, how long will it be before many of these inmates are back in custody? The U.S. Justice Department has predicted the release of up to 20,000 prisoners in the next few years would "unravel the success we have achieved in removing violent crack offenders from high crime neighborhoods" and worsen a recent upturn in violent crimes, the newspaper reports. The record, unfortunately, suggests the criminal justice system is not well equipped to help released drug offenders. They will need programs to help them rehabilitate their lives, counseling to avoid substance abuse and job training and education to help them find work. To the extent those services are unavailable or inadequate, many of those inmates will soon be on the path back to prison, or worse. The Sentencing Commission must factor those needs into its deliberations - -- and take steps to meet them. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek