SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A state commission says minority offenders in Illinois are far more likely to go to prison for minor drug crimes than whites are.
Blacks, for instance, served time in 19 percent of
low-level drug cases, while only 4 percent of white offenders were imprisoned.
The Disproportionate Justice Impact Study
Commission found sentencing disparities in nearly two-thirds of Illinois
counties.
The commission also says minorities are less likely
to receive alternative sentencing than whites.
The report released Monday recommends expanding alternative sentencing and reducing employment barriers by barring background checks from disclosing arrests that did not result in conviction.
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2011 The Associated Press.
