News Advisory
August 18, 2025
Press@ussc.gov

 

U.S. Sentencing Commission Announces Appointment of Members to New Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Research and Data Practices

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Judge Carlton W. Reeves, Chair of the US Sentencing Commission, today announced the appointment of members of the newly established Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Research and Data Practices (RDPAG). This new advisory group is comprised of criminal justice and social science research experts that will help ensure that the Commission continues to employ best practices regarding data collection, interpretation and analysis consistent with other government agencies and non-governmental organizations.

Judge Reeves said, “My colleagues and I are incredibly proud of the research operation we have. It is the engine behind the many common-sense, bipartisan policies we have developed, and we expect to continue to implement during my time as Chair of the Commission.”

Reeves continued, “The Commission’s statutory responsibilities include evidence-based sentencing policy and practices, evaluating the effectiveness and fairness of federal sentencing in the criminal justice system, and conducting research to help drive our work forward. This new advisory group will help ensure that our research continues to be world-class and cutting-edge. I am grateful to the RDPAG members who are willing to serve in this important endeavor.”

RDPAG members are as follows:

  • Calvin Johnson, Ph.D., Chair
  • Douglas Berman
  • Colleen Berryessa, Ph.D.
  • Rayid Ghani
  • Melissa Hamilton, Ph.D.
  • Natalie Harris
  • Rhys Hester, Ph.D.
  • Chang Kwon, Ph.D.
  • Sam Merchant
  • David Pitts, Ph.D.
  • Cassia Spohn, Ph.D.
  • Jeffrey Ulmer, Ph.D.
  • Kevin Wolff, Ph.D.
  • Christina Yancey, Ph.D.
  • Jiashen You, Ph.D.

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Learn more about the advisory groups who inform the Commission of the perspectives of practitioners, probation officers, tribal communities, and victims.