I'M IN Hanover, Massachusetts today, talking to Michelle Collette, a lady who has just got out of prison. She was given seven years after pleading guilty to dealing 14 to 28g of Percocet, a prescription pain-killer. That's a small handful of pills. She served six years.

The judge said he thought the sentence was unfair, but he had no discretion to impose a lighter one, because of state's mandatory minimum sentences for drug offences.

Ms Collette gave birth while she was incarcerated. She was shackled to a hospital bed until the final phase of labour. And she was sent back to prison after only 48 hours bonding with her newborn son, who went to live with his father.

"It was the hardest thing, walking back into that prison with an empty stomach and no baby," says Ms Collette.

Even if you think drugs should be illegal (which I don't), mandatory minimum sentences have gotten way out of line. In Massachusetts, dealing 200g (7 ounces) of heroin gets you a minimum of 15 years, which is what you would get for your second conviction for armed rape.

I shall be returning to this topic.