; of these, almost 250,000 (61 percent) received mandatory minimum sentences. (7) According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, drug offenders released from prison in 1986 who had been sentenced before the adoption of mandatory sentences and sentencing guidelines had served an average of 22 months in prison. In fiscal year 2016, the average sentence for drug offenders subject to a mandatory minimum penalty at sentencing was more than 10 years (with relief, 64 months). (8) In fiscal year 2016, many of those offenders convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum sentence were nonviolent or low-level offenders. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, only 28.7 percent of convictions for drug trafficking offenses carrying a mandatory minimum penalty involved the use of a weapon, violence or threats of violence. Only 11.7 percent of offenders convicted of such offenses played a leadership role. (9) Mandatory minimum sentences have historically been shown to have a disproportionate impact on African Americans. The United States Sentencing Commission, in a 15-year overview of the Federal sentencing system, concluded that mandatory penalty statutes are used inconsistently and disproportionately affect African-American defendants. According to another United States Sentencing Commission report, in fiscal year 2016, of the 8,342 offenders who were subject to a Federal mandatory minimum penalty at sentencing, Black offenders were the largest group, representing 35.5 percent, followed by White offenders, who represented 31.1 percent, and Hispanic offenders, who represented 30.9 percent. (10) According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, between 1994 and 2003, the average time served by African Americans for a drug offense increased by 62 percent, compared to a 17-percent increase among White drug defendants. (11) According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, surveys have documented that drug use is roughly consistent across racial and ethnic groups. While there is less data available