A study conducted by the Birmingham Post-Herald newspaper shows that while blacks and whites charged with drug offenses stand an equal chance of being convicted in Alabama, blacks were more likely to be incarcerated, and for longer periods. In fact, black convicts are nearly twice as likely to receive jail time and nearly two and one half times as likely to receive prison terms of one year or more.

"Highlights" of the study include: Sixty-four percent of blacks convicted of cocaine possession received prison time, compared to 48% of whites; And 35% of blacks convicted of marijuana possession were incarcerated as opposed to 31% of whites. The study also notes that of Alabama's 96 district judges, only six were black, and of 131 circuit judges, only five were black.

You can send email letters to the editor of the Post-Herald at postherald@aol.com (preferably praising them for doing the study and exposing the inherent racism of the drug war).

-- END --
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Issue #21, 12/5/97 British Correspondents Needed for The Week Online | Harvard Study Finds Mandatory Sentences Wasteful | Study Finds Racial Disparities in Drug Sentences in Alabama: Really? Hmm | Clinton Backs UN Drug Czar's Plan to Give Economic Aid to the Taliban in Exchange for Opium Eradication | New Hampshire Legislator Introduces Medical Marijuana, Hemp Bills: "It's time to discuss these issues" says lawmaker | Prohibition-Induced Gang Warfare on Native American Reservation: 50 shots fired between children battling over drug turf | Colombia Passes Extradition Legislation... But it Won't be Retroactive | Mexico: Gun Battle at Border Kills Guard, and Newspaper Editor Shot by Cartel. More Prohibition-related violence | UK's New "Drug Czar" Rejects Legalization of Cannabis | Quote of the Week: Mr. Hellawell should hear what was said about the possibility of repealing Alcohol Prohibition in America! | Drug Policy Institute Accepting Applications | Editorial: Supporting barbarians in the drug war
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