The war on drugs is driving the U.S. prison systems enormous growth. Over the past quarter century drug arrests have tripled, and almost half a million men and women are behind bars for drug-related offenses. Mandatory minimum sentencing laws, which in many cases focus on drug offenses, have had a devastating effect on communities of color. When these laws were enacted, their target was drug kingpins. But research shows that over 60 percent of crack cocaine offenders are nonviolent, low-level street dealers.

Recent studies based on government data point to racially skewed sentences like those for possession or sale of crack cocaine and powder cocaine. For example, the Sentencing Projects recent report, This article appears in October 22 2007.