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 Tracy Ingle: Another Drug War Outrage; from Reason Magazine (US), 5/7/08 |
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Tracy Ingle: Another Drug War Outrage; from Reason Magazine (US), 5/7/08 |
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 Hamedah with her children |
Life in Prison - Crack Conspiracy
Bismillah.
I am a 28-year-old African-American woman serving two natural life sentences, two 40-year sentences, two 20-year sentences, plus a five-year and a four-year sentence for cocaine related charges. My sentences are to run concurrent for a minimum of the longest term given - LIFE. I have three young daughters; Kasandra, 12; Ayesha, 8; and Kamyra, 2 1/2. I was 25 years old and six months pregnant when I began serving this sentence in October of 1993. I had no criminal record, and I am considered a nonviolent, first-time offender. I had never been arrested for possession, purchase, and/or sale of any drugs, but I was convicted of these crimes.
I know that I was prosecuted for these crimes because I did not testify against a family member for the government. I was offered a 'deal' to have all charges dismissed had I been willing to commit perjury for the prosecution in obtaining a conviction against a family member. The man originally arrested in possession of the only drugs seized in my case was given a non-prosecution agreement in exchange for his 'cooperation'. Despite the fact that he was arrested with an amount of cocaine that carries probation to five years according to the sentencing guidelines and mandatory minimums, myself and my codefendants were sentenced to life, life and 10 years respectively. This was justified because the government alleged that the powder cocaine was to be converted into the 'crack' form. In addition to the drugs seized, we were held accountable for drugs testified to by government witnesses that were facing or imprisoned for drug related charges and seeking immunity, leniency or sentence reductions.
I do not condone the possession, use, or sale of any illegal drugs; I would only like to bring out the fact that many of us who have been convicted and sentenced to these life sentences were never found with any amount of drugs. I ask: Where is the justice in that?
I strongly encourage the masses to educate themselves in the laws being implemented which vastly affect the communities in which they live, and to demand complete investigation and overhaul of the judicial system. Time is of the essence.
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