Federal sentences issued for crack cocaine offenses are three to six times longer than those for offenses involving equal amounts of powder cocaine. Approximately 85 percent of defendants convicted of crack offenses in federal court are black, whereas 78 percent of defendants in powder cocaine cases are white; thus, the severe sentences are imposed "primarily upon black offenders". This is an example of

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of institutional discrimination because it describes a systemic issue within the legal and penal systems that disproportionately affects a specific racial group (black offenders) due to the policies and practices related to sentencing for crack versus powder cocaine offenses.

Federal Sentences Issued for Crack Cocaine Offenses Are Three to Six