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(September 26, 2023)   This report provides the characteristics of individuals convicted of escape, then chronologically examines their criminal histories before, during, and after the escape offense. 

Key Findings
Full Report

(September 21, 2023)   The Commission released new preliminary data on compassionate release motions decided during the first three quarters of fiscal year 2023 (October 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023).

Data Report
 

(September 18, 2023)   This preliminary data report reflects information received from the federal courts on individuals sentenced through the first three quarters of fiscal year 2023 (October 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023).

Learn More

(August 24, 2023)   Commissioners voted at a public meeting to allow delayed retroactive application of Amendment 821 relating to criminal history. The Commission also approved new policy priorities for the amendment year ending May 1, 2024. 

News Release
"Reader-Friendly" Text of Retroactivity
Notice of Final Priorities
 

The Commission held a public meeting on August 24, 2023. The meeting was livestreamed. 

Transcript

Learn More
 

(August 11, 2023)    These documents provide brief summaries of selected Supreme Court and appellante court cases that involve the guidelines and other aspects of federal sentencing.

Selected Supreme Court Cases
Interactive Case Law Update

About the Commission

The U.S. Sentencing Commission, a bipartisan, independent agency located in the judicial branch of government, was created by Congress in 1984 to reduce sentencing disparities and promote transparency and proportionality in sentencing.

The Commission collects, analyzes, and distributes a broad array of information on federal sentencing practices.  The Commission also continuously establishes and amends sentencing guidelines for the judicial branch and assists the other branches in developing effective and efficient crime policy. Learn the basics of federal sentencing.

 

Resources
Glossary of Sentencing Terms

Unclear about some of the terms found in the Guidelines Manual? This glossary covers everything from “Abuse of Trust” to “Zone D”.

Resources
Ask the HelpLine

The HelpLine assists judges, probation officers, and practitioners in understanding and applying the guidelines. You can submit your questions electronically or call us directly.

Resources
Decision Trees

How do the guidelines apply in a case with multiple counts? How do you score criminal history convictions? Follow the decision trees to answer these questions.

Resources
Primers

Want to learn more about relevant statutes, case law and guidelines on a specific topic? Discover our primers that focus on topics ranging from drug trafficking to criminal history to supervised release.…

Resources
Worksheets

Use these worksheets to help determine the applicable offense level, criminal history score, and guideline range in an individual offender’s case.

Resources
Quick Facts

Quick Facts publications give readers basic facts about a single area of federal crime in an easy-to-read, two-page format. The Commission releases new Quick Facts periodically.

Resources
Research Notes

Research Notes give background information on the technical details of the Commission’s data collection process and provide answers to common data analysis questions. 

2023-2024 Amendment Cycle

  • Public Comment

     

     

    The Commission received comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024.

  • Federal Register Notice

     

    The Commission seeks comment on proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024.
     

    Public comment should be received by the Commission on or before August 1, 2023. 

     

     

  • Press Release

     

    Commissioners voted at a public meeting to allow delayed retroactive application of Amendment 821 relating to criminal history. The Commission also approved new policy priorities for the amendment year ending May 1, 2024.

  • Federal Register Notice

     

    The Commission published final priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2024.
     

    Federal Register Notice

     

     

  • Event

     

    A public meeting of the Commission was held on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) pursuant to Rule 3.2 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the United States Sentencing Commission. 

     

    A video recording and transcript are available. 

  • Amendments

     

    This document contains unofficial text of the amendment to policy statement §1B1.10 (Reduction in Term of Imprisonment as a Result of Amended Guideline Range (Policy Statement)), as promulgated by the Commission. Official text will appear in a forthcoming edition of the Federal Register.

    "Reader-Friendly"
    Amendment 821 In Brief
     

  • Public Comment

     

     

    The Commission received comment on possible retroactive application of Parts A and B of the 2023 Criminal History Amendment (effective November 1, 2023).