The purpose of this thesis was to offer a policy analysis of The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010. An extensive literature review was conducted to understand the impacts of mass incarceration in order for the reader to understand how drug policy in America has contributed to the prison industrial complex through the use of mandatory minimum sentencing. To assess this policy, David Gil’s analytical framework was used. The analysis explored the policies objectives, intention, values, effects, and implications.

The Fair Sentencing Act was enacted in response to the disproportionality in sentencing for crack cocaine compared to powder cocaine. A thorough examination of the policy illustrated how the Fair Sentencing Act reduced the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine by changing the quantity threshold that would trigger a mandatory minimum sentence of five-10 years. The analysis further explored the policies applicability for retroactivity for individual’s sentenced under past sentencing guidelines.