Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
  • Video
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • The Reason Rundown With Peter Suderman
    • The Soho Forum Debates
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Donate Crypto
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Print/Digital Subscriptions
    • Gift Subscriptions

Login Form

Create new account
Forgot password

Drug-Free School Zones

drug free school zone

Drugs

Tennessee May Allow Resentencing for Drug-Free School Zone Offenders After Reason Investigation

A 2018 Reason investigation showed that the zones covered wide swaths of cities and turned minor drug crimes into prison sentences that rivaled those for murder or rape.

C.J. Ciaramella | 4.14.2022 3:35 PM

drug free school zone

Drug-Free School Zones

Tennessee Governor Announces Fast-Track Clemency Process for People Serving Outdated Drug-Free School Zone Sentences

Following a 2017 Reason investigation, Tennessee reformed its harsh drug-free school zone laws. But hundreds were left in prison.

C.J. Ciaramella | 12.16.2021 3:44 PM

drug free school zone

Drug-Free School Zones

Tennessee Reformed Its Harsh Drug-Free School Zone Laws. What About the Hundreds Still in Prison?

Inmates serving mandatory minimum sentences have been left behind.

C.J. Ciaramella | 7.16.2020 2:40 PM

drug free school zone

Drug-Free School Zones

Tennessee Passes Drug-Free School Zone Reforms Following Reason Investigation

The harsh laws covered large swaths of Tennessee's cities in enhanced sentencing zones and locked away minor drug offenders for years.

C.J. Ciaramella | 6.18.2020 11:54 AM

topicscivilliberties

Civil Liberties

Tennessee May Finally Reform Draconian Drug-Free School Zone Laws

Too often, minor drug crimes turn into mandatory minimum offenses with lengthy sentences despite the fact these types of cases rarely involve drug dealing to minors.

C.J. Ciaramella | 5.14.2020 6:00 AM

drug free school zone

Drug-Free School Zones

Will Tennessee Finally Reform Its Draconian Drug-Free School Zone Laws?

The zones cover vast swaths of Tennessee's cities—and turn minor drug crimes into sentences usually reserved for rape and murder.

C.J. Ciaramella | 3.2.2020 4:30 PM

Large image on homepages

Tennessee

Calvin Bryant Was Serving a Draconian Mandatory Minimum Sentence. Now He's Free

Under Tennessee's harsh drug-free school zone laws, Bryant received a 17-year sentence for a first-time drug offense.

C.J. Ciaramella | 10.31.2018 2:30 PM

Large image on homepages

Drug-Free School Zones

Calvin Bryant Got 17 Years In Prison Under Tennessee's Drug Laws. Now He's Asking The Governor For Clemency

"A toxic combination of harsh mandatory minimum sentencing, race, poverty and fatally arbitrary enforcement."

C.J. Ciaramella | 10.24.2018 10:00 AM

Large image on homepages

Tennessee

Tennessee Prosecutors Sunk a Bill to Reform the State's Punitive Drug-Free School Zone Law

A Reason investigation found the zones covered wide swaths of cities and buried first-time offenders under huge sentences.

C.J. Ciaramella | 5.1.2018 4:45 PM

Large image for longform feature pages.

Drug-Free School Zones

The Myth of the Playground Pusher

In Tennessee and around the country, "drug-free school zones" are little more than excuses for harsher drug sentencing.

C.J. Ciaramella and Lauren Krisai | 12.18.2017 6:00 AM

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Shop
  • Amazon
Reason FacebookReason TwitterReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeReason ItunesReason on FlipboardReason RSS

© 2022 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use