Background: Health disparities exist among racial and ethnic groups. Compared to whites, minorities experience poorer health outcomes. Inequalities extend into the criminal justice system. Minorities have higher arrests and, incarceration rates, and receive longer sentences compared to Whites. This research explored whether or not minority women, when compared to White women involved in drug offenses, including opioid offenses, experienced differences in sentencing outcomes.

Methodology: Exploratory data analysis were conducted using publically available United States Sentencing Commission Individual Offender Datafiles, years 2014 – 2018.

Results: In 2018, drug offenses were higher among minority women (62.0%) when compared to white women (38.0%). Between 2014 and 2018, drug offenses increased for minority women (6.1%) while it decreased for White women (8.5%). In 2018, opioid offenses were similar between minority (19.9%) and White women (20.8%). However, between 2014 and 2018, opioid offenses decreased for white women (22.7%), but increased for minority women (6.6%).

The average length of imprisonment for drug offenses of less than five years, in 2018, was higher among minority women (73.9%) when compared to White women (52.5%) This is similar to years 2014 through 2017.

In 2018, a prison only sentence for drug offenses was higher for minority women (84.6%) when compared to non-minority women (81.1%). A probation only sentence was lower among minority women (7.4%) when compared to white women (8.0%).

Conclusion: Initial results indicate inequalities in sentencing outcomes between minority and White women, showing the need to focus on additional research on minority women involved in the justice system.