Crack offenders can ask for reduced sentences

Prisoners serving time for crack cocaine crimes can now ask for reduced sentences.

The US Sentencing Commission retroactively lowered punishment to narrow differences in penalties for crack versus powder cocaine.

That means about 800 inmates convicted in western North Carolina can petition the courts for early release.

Inmates could have 13 to 16 months knocked off their sentence, but a judge can deny petitions, based on their criminal history or behavior.