Index of Stories A - J
Index of Stories K - Z
Putting Fairness in the Sentencing Act
The US Sentencing Commission has extended invitation for public comments on retroactivity of the Fairness in Sentencing Act until June, 1, 2011. The Commission wants to hear from you regarding crack cocaine sentencing retroactivity. Consider sending the letter we suggested Razor Wire readers personalize for the Commission.
Read the Commission's Analysis of the Impact of the Fair Sentencing Act if made retroactive (2011).
The New York Times is covering what the report describes as a "Judicial Renaissance." Read, Judges See Sentencing Injustice, but the Calendar Disagrees.
Washington Post has a February 2011 Editorial in support of crack retroactivity.
The Federal office of public defender's website has legal resources on recent cocaine sentencing changes.
The Sentencing Project has a more information about the crack cocaine disparity and changes in 2010 law.
Bertha Burleson -- #651948
25 Years -- Crack Cocaine Paraphernalia
Bertha Burleson is incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Division. Bertha became addicted to drugs and broke laws to support her habit. Prison and parole might get her clean, but relapsing she would her 'criminal history' grow, but was never was convicted of a violent crime. Through the years she would be given a prison sentence, but have never been offered drug treatment, or job training.
In 1993 she was sentenced to 25 years in prison for possession of a dirty crack pipe. Texas carries a 25 year sentence possession of less than a gram of cocaine with criminal history. Someone decided that a dirty crack pipe ought to carry a 25 year sentence for a middle aged lady with a cocaine addiction.
As of 2009, it's doubtful that Bertha has had intensive treatment to understand addiction. She hasn't learned a job trade that will provide an elderly woman a sustainable life even though the surest way to beat addiction is a stable life. Instead, Texas tax payers have shelled out 400,000 dollars and have another quarter million dollars to go.
25 Years -- Crack Cocaine Paraphernalia
Bertha Burleson is incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Division. Bertha became addicted to drugs and broke laws to support her habit. Prison and parole might get her clean, but relapsing she would her 'criminal history' grow, but was never was convicted of a violent crime. Through the years she would be given a prison sentence, but have never been offered drug treatment, or job training.
In 1993 she was sentenced to 25 years in prison for possession of a dirty crack pipe. Texas carries a 25 year sentence possession of less than a gram of cocaine with criminal history. Someone decided that a dirty crack pipe ought to carry a 25 year sentence for a middle aged lady with a cocaine addiction.
As of 2009, it's doubtful that Bertha has had intensive treatment to understand addiction. She hasn't learned a job trade that will provide an elderly woman a sustainable life even though the surest way to beat addiction is a stable life. Instead, Texas tax payers have shelled out 400,000 dollars and have another quarter million dollars to go.