A new policy aimed at equalizing crack and powdered cocaine sentencing has resulted in reduced sentences for about 3,000 crack offenders, the Associated Press reported April 25.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission said that since the new federal sentencing guidelines went into effect on March 3, 3,647 crack-cocaine offenders have applied for sentence reductions, and federal judges had granted their request in 3,075 cases. About 1,600 of the offenders were eligible for early release as a result.

Thirty percent of inmates whose sentences were reduced were minor or first-time offenders, while violent or repeat offenders constituted 9 percent of cases where sentenced were shortened. Some prosecutors have complained that the new sentencing policy will result in thousands of violent prisoners being released.