Mandatory Minimum Sentences and The War on Drugs

Mandatory Minimum Sentences
and The War on Drugs
By The Numbers
Sources: Coalition for Public Safety
Families Against Mandatory Minimums (Florida)
Florida Mandatory
Minimum Sentence
EXAMPLE:
Possession 28 grams(1 oz.) illegal painkillers
Triggers a 25 Year minimum sentence.
No intent to distribute is required to trigger
that sentence.
Source: Families Against Mandatory Minimums (Florida)
There are more people per capita in prison in
the U.S. than in any country in the world.
Source: Coalition for Public Safety
The War on Drugs
and Mandatory Minimum Sentences
Source: Coalition for Public Safety
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Source: Coalition for Public Safety.
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Florida Mandatory
Minimum Sentence
EXAMPLE: Possession 28 grams illegal painkillers
Triggers a 25 Year minimum sentence.
The same crime in Texas
carries a sentence of:
1 year
2 years 4 years 7 years
10 years 15 years 20 years 30 years
Source: Families Against Mandatory Minimums (Florida)
Florida Mandatory
Minimum Sentence
EXAMPLE: Possession 28 grams illegal painkillers
Triggers a 25 Year minimum sentence.
The same crime in Texas carries a sentence of:
1 year
2 years 4 years 7 years
10 years 15 years 20 years 30 years
>> Can Florida afford to keep doing this??
Source: Families Against Mandatory Minimums (Florida)
Florida Cost
• 1984: For every Dollar spent on Higher Education
Florida spent 34 cents on Corrections.
• Now: For every dollar spent on Higher Education
Florida spends:
• $. 28 $.34 $.45 $.56 $.66 $.77 $1.00
Source: Families Against Mandatory Minimums (Florida)
Florida Cost
1984: For every Dollar spent on Higher Education
Florida spent 34 cents on Corrections.
Now: For every dollar spent on Higher Education
Florida spends:
$. 28 $.34 $.45 $.56 $.66 $.77 $1.00
Source: Families Against Mandatory Minimums (Florida)
Florida’s Prison Population Has
Skyrocketed
Now: More than 100,000 people are in prison
This is 20% increase in the last 5 years.
Unchecked, in 10 years our prison population
could increase 40%, and our costs could
exceed all we spend on Higher Education.