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Disparity In Prison Sentences

Imprisonment is “inappropriately used as a tool of control” in communities of color, said Piper Kerman, author of the book “Orange Is The New Black: My Year In A Women’s Prison.”

Kerman, whose book inspired the Netflix television show of the same name, discussed the issue while answering a question from a caller who asked about Kemba Smith, a black woman who committed a crime similar to Kerman’s but was given a sentence of 24.5 years in prison with no possibility of parole. Kerman’s sentence was 15 months.

Watch Kerman’s full response in the clip below.



Piper Kerman On How Her Book Has Influenced Perception of Prison

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Watch live video of Piper Kerman in studio as she discusses her book and the Netflix series “Orange Is The New Black.”