In 1996, an individual’s life was dramatically altered after receiving a 20-year prison sentence for possessing just 50 grams of crack cocaine. This case underscores a vast disparity in the justice system, where crack cocaine offenses were punished far more severely than those involving powdered cocaine. Sentencing reforms, aimed at correcting these disparities, ultimately led to the individual’s sentence being reduced and their subsequent early release. However, the journey didn’t end upon leaving prison; as a permanent U.S. resident and not a citizen, they were transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, only to be released in 2014.
A Stark Contrast in Sentencing
During the height of the crack epidemic, laws enacted led to disproportionately harsh sentences for those caught with crack cocaine compared to powdered cocaine. This individual’s case is a prime example of the systemic bias prevalent in sentencing during that era. Research and public outcry over these disparities prompted legal reforms, seeking to equalize the treatment of crack and powdered cocaine offenses.
