Section 4: Drug Crimes

Drug offenders who have been sentenced to prison under the current minimum 85% of sentence served policy will, on average, serve a significantly longer period of time in prison than at any time over the past 25 years. The average prison sentence under this policy has resulted in 2.5 years of incarceration compared to 1.8 years under the parole system of the early 1980's and 1.2 years during the early prison release policy of the late 80's and early 90's (chart 28).

Drug offenders will, on average, serve 2.5 years in prison if sentenced under the minimum 85% of sentence served policy in FY 2003-2004 compared to less than a year (0.7) during the early prison release policy in FY 1988-1989 (chart 29).

Drug traffickers served an average of 2.3 to 2.9 years in prison every year from FY 1980-1981 to FY 1993-1994. In contrast, drug traffickers sentenced under the minimum 85% time served policy in FY 2003-2004 will serve an average of 5.1 years in prison (chart 31).

Chart 28 All Drug Crimes Average Prison Time Served in Years for New Admissions Under Different Sentencing Policies: FY 1979-1980 to FY 2003-2004

Chart 29 All Drug Crimes Average Prison Time Served in Years for New Admissions By Fiscal Year: FY 1979-1980 to FY 2003-2004

Chart 30 Drug Sale Average Prison Time Served in Years for New Admissions By Fiscal Year: FY 1979-1980 to FY 2003-2004

Chart 31 Drug Trafficking* Average Prison Time Served in Years for New Admissions By Fiscal Year: FY 1979-1980 to FY 2003-2004

* NOTE: Only five admissions occurred in FY1979/80. The average would be misleading and is therefore not presented.