Sentencing: House Subcommittee Approves Reducing Federal Crack Cocaine Penalties

I want to thank the people who or pushing to change the crack cocaine laws. My husband is a victim of this law and the whole family and tax payers suffers. He has been gone over 13 years now. He learned his lessen a long time ago. I am a disable mother of 4 supported by state funds (welfare, Social Security and SSI). I really don't believe it is the state responsibility to take care of me and my family. I believe it is the responsibility of my husband. The tax payer are paying for him to serve his time as an inmate by providing him with housing, lights, gas, food, etc., The tax payer provide me with housing, food stamps and cash aid. Please help. My husband needs to be at home so he could provide for his family.

Once again thanks for pushing to change such laws. I don't think it fair for no one who commits a crime to be punished by tax payers paying for the them to live for free. The inmate only worry is to have money on their books so they could call home. Don't get me wrong, I believe if you commit a crime you should do the time. But for someone to sell drugs to someone who willfully buy them. Should not serve 25 to life so the tax payer could take care of him or her for the rest of their lives, but maybe community service for the duration of their time. Let the punishment fit the crime.

I truly hope this gets passed as well so hopefully it'll end my nightmare. My father went to prison when I was 7 weeks old and now I am 20 he still is not close to the end of his sentence. These laws are cruel! It is very sad that my father lost 20 years of his life for a non-violent crime when sex offenders get less time. That is a true failure in this so-called 'justice' system. I pray that this is made retroactive as well, it is only fair to the people that were sentenced under these cruel laws!

I pray all is well and i God is good. Families are torn apart because of this.My fiance been in since my daughter was 1 month old and now shes going on three. despite his crime hes a wonderful father and if society dont give them a chance by letting them a get a job, what else can they do? I truly believe thats the wat the way the sytem was made to keep a black man down. In the midst of the storms i still thank God.

when the bill becomes law each person that was sentenced under the old mandatory law should automatic receive a reduction in their sentence without them applying for it. it was unfair from the beginging. you can't buy 5 grams of crack cocain for the same price as 500 grams of power cocain so why should the punishment be the same? that does not make sense. not only are the law breakers going to answer to God for their actions SO ARE THE LAW MAKERS. God help us to treat others as we would want to be treated.

First and foremost ide like to thank the lawmakers who are partaking in the passing of this bill. It has been a long time coming and so many families have been torn apart for a crime that isnt even as wrong as others. The thing I wish for the most though is that after all is said and done.. these men and woman who have paid there time, get a speedy release.. I think they have waited to long and the longer they wait the more vulnerable they become. I think they deserve to go home to there loved ones and not have a long waited out "system of release" to think about... Its enough that they have paid there time and now have to think about what they must do to take care of themselves and/or family members.. they had nothing but time.. So I ask that these same lawmakers make it quick for them and there loved ones, theyve already paid there price...

I am so very happy that change has come where change was due. It makes me mad to see people being locked up for long periods of time for drug cases and those who commit murders and different violent crimes get less time or in some cases get off for them.I feel it's a better way to sentence people with nonviolent drug cases such as comunity service or rehabilatating them.Hopefully this will be retroactive so that my kids and there father can reunite instead of losing time, these kids need their fathers!

Its long overdue for the system to start being fair to all races.

I'm praying every day that something gets done soon. i'm going to be sentence on oct,9 and even though the judge in my case is very vocal in letting the goverment know that thier wrong in how they are still trying to give such long sentences with so much possitive progress in reforming the mandatory minimums theres not much he can do to help me because of these laws that where put in place. i cant belive this has been going on for so long. i'm not a drug dealer i was set up by one of my friends and even though i could argue intrapment it's not worth risking 10 more years of my life without my kids. my charge is a 10 year mandatory minimum. if i was to go to trial and lose i could be facing 20 years. if this where cocain i would be getting 18 months of probation or if i went to tial and lost i would get 24 months in prison. how about that for our justice system. the thing that i dont get is if change is more likely to come and the country is in a recesion how come the goverment aint giving better deals to help cut cost. i've been out on bail for 2 years and they aint change thier plea deal from march of 08 giving how great i've been in those 2 years. I PRAY FOR US ALL AND GOD SPEED...

i hope this law changes because like the person that wrote before me i have a federal drug case and i got setup and got caught with 51.99 grams of crack and i took that same 10yr deal and now with my 2 prior felonies for weed the federal guidlines are saying i should get between 260 to 310 months so i pray the laws change soon and i would like to say thank you to who ever pushing this law through and one more thing if you rat you should die because thats how i got caught up

My son has been incacerated for 20 yrs. He was given a 35 year sentence to life. His children are grown with children and its not fair that my son get all these years without no killings, no crack found,no money or anything, they went by the word of two snitches that were drug dealers themselves. My son would not snitch on anyone and pleaded not guilty on all charges. The judge said they would use him as an example in the state of Iowa. He had no priors, never been in jail. of course he is a black male and Iowa keeps deining all of his paper work. I pray this new law will et him free! He has more time then baby killers, murderers.

the love of my life is also a victom of the harsh punishment they put on these men and women the us really has its values messed up when they put a drug before someones life and not only a life but the life of a child when a man can violate a woman in an alley or crawl thrugh her window and while attacks her while she sleeps or when its ok to invade a childs innocents i just cant grasp that i mean im not trying to condone anything that he has done but all that drug dealing they never caught my guy selling anything didnt catch him with anything at home no money or drugs but cause of a misdemeanor charge that he had concluded and now they say they have him on something else on him his prier misdemeanor which by the way was no violent but it can bump up his sentence and have to sevre for his no violent misdemeanor it is just ludicrous i will be so glad when the us court gets priorities straight

Ihad just found out i was pregant when my son father went to jail he got sentance under ther crack law but got cought with powder and got 17yrs my son never ever seen his father never touch his father only thing that he did was write and talk to him on the phone antoina was sentance to 17 yrs and been gone 12 and and half yrs it's not right that he got al that time and i have to raise my child buy myself and pray an that he grow up and do right because they taken away all our black man and leven us women to raise our kids by our self they givng our black man man more time then they ever live and yes they did wronge but people learn and my son is 12 yrs old and in every sport but i can't teach him how to be a man i need his help and i hope that he get out soon free our black man what ever happen to 2nd chance

i have one step son doing 14yre for crack cocaine one brother did 5yrs but you know the funny thing is that my cousin was murdered and his killer only did 3 yr for taking his life so now maybe my step son may have a chance at having a life . he has done half of his time and i know he has learned a very hard leson for what he did its a terrible thing when a person gets more time for crack than a man who takes a life here in martinsburg wv if you even know anyone the police thinks sells coke you are harassed and belittled by them we are family just because a person sold coke doesnt mean they are bad people and should have a chance to life outside . and if by chance your name is redman you dont get that chance just because of your last name they arnt bad people just made wrong choices so dont take away the rest of there lives they love and cry just like anyone else we feel loss to

I have several friends who fell under this unfair crack law. Im not justifying that its ok to sell drugs in order to survive financially, but the sentencing guidelines are acceptable forms of cruel and unusual punishment. The state and federal government are locking up prisoners for years, without the chance of rehabilitation. Being that the inmates are in prison on non-violent crimes, who's to say after being released they wouldn't be law abiding citizens? Five years ago I was convicted of possession of cocaine, and was sentenced to three years of probation. Although I didn't receive prison time, the conviction is on my record and it has been a challenge becoming gainfully employed. Ex-offenders are automatically stero-typed by society, despite the fact they did they're crime and the time. Ex-offenders lose faith in they're country from being rejected and resort to their previous criminal activities. The Government should have more programs and alternatives to helping those who have been previously incarcerated. No one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes and disobeys the law in some aspect, but not everyone gets caught.

The love of my life and father of my beautiful daughter was taken away form us when she was only 6 days old. Like many of the stories I have seen on here he too was set up by what was a childhood friend. His friend ( also a CI for the Feds) called him 9 times asking him for a ride until he finally gave in and gave him a ride. The ride ended up being to pick up crack from his brother and was all taped so they charged my man with aiding something that he did not even know was going to happen. Of course the CI is still out doing his thing and has now started selling herion as a main drug. Funny how that goes, no jail time for him. This law would bring him home to us sooner so I pray that it gets passed. I had heard it was passed on Nov 1st but have not been able to confirm that yet. God Bless!!!!

The finest man I've ever known is locked up over crack cocaine. This reform could bring him back to his very supporting family. I have a problem with manic depression and AIDS. This summer he saved my life. He called and he could tell I wasn't right and talked and we laughed and he encouraged me. My CD4 count was only 5. I would have died very shortly. Because of him I got back on my meds both emotional and physical. He's my best friend and maybe he did do something he shouldn't have But I know the time he has served has been enough. You see I was killing myself with crack cocaine and this man encourages me to stay clean now. He's the one telling me to stay away from the drugs; do good; live good. Because of his phone call and his encouragement I go to church. I have a better life. But his scarifice for me is too great.

I was dating a man for 8 years before he was locked up for crack cocaine. He is a wonderful man who was trying to take care of his family. We both know his way of going about it was not the best of ideas. Not to mention we are aware that you have to pay for your mistakes. No excuses have been made for this action, but all we are asking is that the punishment fit the crime. The federal system is filled with nonviolent offenders. It costs alot of money to house them and not to mention room that she be there for the man who touched someones child or killed someones mother. Looking for ammendments is so hard to do. I have found lawyers that I am scared to contact because there is no way to confirm if what they are saying is real. So Im praying for him. Im praying for the families that are experiencing the same situations. A change is coming, I feel it. Anything I find out, I am willing to share with everyone here. Could you please do the same thing????

I thank you to everyone who has voiced their opinion about this issue. It is a long time coming for justice for these inmates. I am keeping them all in my prayers and praying that they do make this law retroactive so all the people incarcerated get to come home and start a new life. My friend is currently incarcerated and he understands what he did wrong and wants to make things right. Not only is he missing out on his childrens lives but his too. These men don't deserve that much time. They thought this law would help when it's just tearing down families.

my brother has been gone for three years that is a short time but when i heard how many years was 135 months i instantly started to cry because that was a unfair secntence for someone who past didn't consist of a long list of drug cases. so hopefully you guys would consider passing this law and let my big brother come home.

My fiance is currently serving 160 month sentence for a single posession charge. We are working very hard to make sure he comes home, and soon. This 100:1 ratio should have never been accepted as a suitable punnishment. Its proof positive that this country still has a racial war going on within itself. Now that Obama is in office, we expect things to change. If this law does not indeed become retroactive, it would be a great travesty in our country. Where is the justice in that? My man made some mistakes, but keeping him incarcerated under an old law will do more harm than good. He is a human being and deserves to have a life too.

Im so happy for this and i don't understand WHY a lot of people got life sentences for drugs and the ones that kill got 10 or 20 years. Im from south texas like two years ago a sheriff officer linked to gulf cartel He faces three cuonts of sprawling 19 count indictment implicating him and 14 others in drug smuggling conspiracy. and guess what the judge still thinking about his sentense home arrest or money becauses we dont think that he will go to jail. judge please why you give life sentence for conspiracy to normal citicen and u still dont know what to do.

I am so happy that they finally decided to see that the sentencing is so unjust. My fiance was sentence 14 years with no hard evidence,three weeks before our wedding. Things were missing in court, and things that suppose to had residue on it was not there all the evidence was just rediculas and 50+k s dollars to a lawyer that was unsuccessful is another story, what's crazy is that I know someone that killed someone recieved the same amount of time. I had two kids and was 2 months pregnant when they took him away and now the child that I was pregnant with is going on 9. My children ask me everday for 9 years when does daddy come home? What can I tell them... soon huh? No!!!! I have been a single struggling mother like I am sure a lot of people have been for 9 years and if this law didn't go through it would be 4+ more years and that is rediculas. Then they ask why so many people have to get government support? Stop taking our men away for life times that could help us and alot of people wouldn't have to go on support, I worked two jobs and go to school and it is very hard without that second person. I am sure alot of people have the same story, and I could go on and on, but I just would like to thank those who contrubuted to making this law pass.

i jus wanna say im glad the law passed but i need my husband home..he shouldnt of had to do 15 -25 for selling drugs he has done his time and now its time for him to be home. he didnt kill or harm noone so y is he being punished please make it retroactive.thank you

If they did not want to do the time they should not have done the crime.

My Husband has been gone from us for many yrs for crack cocaine.He was fighting his case since 2004, He got his time in 2008 at the end of all that he got ten years still. I hope this law pass so our love ones can come home. I never stop loving him because of a mistake he made.Please pass this BILL so our love ones can come home. God Bless

my husband was with some one who had crack cocaine, they had been looking for this person for over 10years once they caught him my husband was in the car with him. My husband had never been in trouble with the law and he got 6 years he now has been away from his kids and his new wife for the last 3years. But a person that can rape and kill someone and get lest time whats wrong with that. please pass this bill so that my husband can come home to our kids and i thank you for your time and i hope you read all of our comments

my son is also incarcerated for crack cocaine, my question if anybody out there knows when is this new law going to pass i have been hearing about it but nothing has happen yet! does it real take that long for the president to sign the papers..we want out babies home my son made a stupid mistake his wife was sick with breast cancer and he was looking to make a quick buck to help take care of his family but now he is paying for that mistake and regrets its so bad cuz he got locked up and his wife passed away last year. so i which they would hurry up and pass this bill so that he can come home to be with his 4 children that need him.

My oldest son is in jail right now facing 20 to life for 5 k of crack cocaine. Because he has prior small drug charges the fed gov is trying to take the rest of his life from him. He is 37 yrs old and this seems so unfair to me. He has children that need him. If, they would concentrate on providing education and jobs for some of these men instead of taking their whole life from them they would do better. They would not have to go out and sell drugs to take care of their families. In this country as soon as you get any kind of criminal history you are unemployable. If, you are unemployable how will you take care of yourself and your kids. Non violent offenders should not have to stay in jail for 20 yrs it's just ludicrous. We all know why it's like this because the crack offenders are all black men/women. It's racism in it's most subtle form. My son says that the law had passed but I can't confirm that. Anybody out there know for sure. God help us all.

As promising as this bill sounds, the idea of retroactivity is a long ways off.  There was a deep concern during the arguing of this bill on the negative impact of too many drug dealers released to the bigger cities during such an economic collapse.  I have also heard that they wanted to wait to consider retroactivity until after enough time elapses to see if the new bill will result in an increase in crack cocaine offenses.  This could be a major problem if it appears that less crack cocaine prosecutions has resulted in increased drug problems in your larger inner cities.  I think we all just better be patient in regards to retroactivity as increased crime or perceived soft on crime  accusations are election year killers.

my husband has been behind bars for 14 years now...im greatly appreciated of the law but it needs to be retroactive . its not fair at all for the people goin in now goes n gets right out n the older ones r still serving there time he has been away from his family for so long please bring him home nex year

My brother was a victim to this about two years ago. Hopefully instead of getting 15 years he will only serve about 2 to 3 more years. This has been a relief for my family and i. We spent nights crying and about a year that we could not seem him. Now if God is willing, he will be able to come home and take care of his toddler and meet his niece. We r praying for more justice..there still needs more to be done in the system

HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE?

I'm so glad this law was passed because my son is not sentence yet he going through this right now where they want to give him over 10 years for crack cocaine, because he was helping some friends as they driver to drop off in the city and not even state to state, and they had him on tape for 2 weeks only, and they did not see him no more because he stop hanging around them and due to his past record they want to give him all that time and he have a baby on the way. When they get out of prison as a felony they can't even get a job and my son was lock up for driving with suspended license now that he have his license he still can't get a job due to a felony record now that crazy.