They lost their freedom for something you can legally buy.
Audreanna J. was 27 years old when sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment for 0.3 grams of cannabis in 2020.
Audreanna J. would be 30 years old in 2023 the year of their projected release date.
Taking into account an estimated life expectancy of 82.8 years along with the decline in life expectancy as a result of incarceration, Audreanna J. would have lost 10.9 percent of their freedom due to the prison sentence.
- How this was calculated
The calculation of freedom lost (in percent) takes into consideration average life expectancy, reduced life expectancy, and the year of incarceration.
The estimated life expectancy value is an American average and varies based on sex and race/ethnicity. The reduced life expectancy is calculated based on the conclusion of a study in the American Journal of Public Heath that every additional year of incarceration led to a 2-year decline in life expectancy.
By plotting the year of birth, year of incarceration, and life expectancy on a timeline, the total life lost in years is calculated.