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The Tennessean analyzed 80,000 federal convictions from 1992 and 1993, comparing sentences given to whites and blacks with similar criminal records who had committed similar crimes. The government assumption was that no disparity would by found. The Tennessean reported that black criminals' sentences were, on average, 10 percent longer than white criminals', even whenthe crimes were considered equal. Black criminals also were less likely to get a break on their sentences than whtie criminals. (Sept. 24, 25 & 26, 1995)