WOMEN FREED FROM HARSH DRUG SENTENCES

In a rare move, President Clinton has released from prison four women
convicted of drug crimes who received harsher sentences than men involved
in their cases.

The President felt that the women, all first-time offenders, had served a
disproportionate amount of time and granted them clemency.

Mr Clinton's action highlighted growing concerns among politicians, judges,
penal activists and families of inmates that conspiracy laws passed by
Congress in the 1980s imposing long mandatory sentences in the "war on
drugs" are unfair.

Serena Nunn (30) was stunned to be let out of prison after serving 10 years
of a 14-year drug sentence. She had been drawn into a cocaine ring in
Minnesota by her boyfriend.

Judge David Doty, who sentenced her, wrote to Mr Clinton supporting
clemency. Speaking for his fellow judges, he said: "We are giving drug
sentences that are horrendous. None of us are happy with mandatory minimums."