Think Outside the Cage: FAMM - Nov 1 Brings New Day to Crack Sentencing

Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

If you would like to be involved please go to our website and become a member.

November 1 heralds new day for crack sentencing

Effective November 1st, nearly 80 percent of defendants convicted of federal crack cocaine offenses will face sentences 16 months shorter on average, thanks to sentencing guideline reforms approved by the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

"FAMM applauds the Commission's reform of the crack cocaine guidelines. It is a long overdue first step to improving crack sentences, and though it does not solve the problem of excessive crack cocaine penalties it moves us closer to that goal," said Julie Stewart, president of FAMM. "However, if the amendment is not made retroactive, nearly 20,000 federal prisoners currently serving harsh sentences for crack cocaine offenses will not be eligible for relief."

Read FAMM's press statement on the guideline change

Questions about the new crack guideline and its possible retroactivity? Click here to download FAMM's fact sheet.

Click here to submit a letter to the editor of your local newspaper on the crack cocaine changes.

Karen Garrison on CNN Nov. 1

CNN will air a segment that features an interview with Karen Garrison, FAMM’s office assistant for over four years, on Nov. 1 between 6:00 am and 8:00 am ET. The segment emphasizes the personal impact that the crack-powder cocaine sentencing disparity has on families through the United States.

Karen’s twin sons, Lawrence and Lamont, have each served 10 years of 15½ and 19½ year sentences, respectively, for a federal cocaine conspiracy. Since their arrest and sentencing, Karen has been advocating for drug sentencing reform both through her employment at FAMM and independently. Tune into CNN TV to hear the facts! Read about Lawrence and Lamont on the right.

h/t to Sentencing Law and Policy and FAMM