More Than Half of Drug Offenders in Federal Prison Were Serving Sentences for Powder or Crack Cocaine

Fifty-four percent of drug offenders in federal custody at the end of 2012 were serving sentences for powder or crack cocaine, according to a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The study, Drug Offenders in Federal Prison: Estimates of Characteristics Based on Linked Data, found that the next largest share were methamphetamine offenders (24 percent), followed by marijuana (12 percent) and heroin (6 percent) offenders. The majority of drug offenders in federal prison (92 percent) were male and age 30 or older. Across all drug types, crack cocaine offenders were most likely to have extensive criminal histories and used a weapon. To read the report, go to http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=5436.