Individual and Offense Characteristics

• 90.7% of individuals sentenced for escape were men.
   
• 33.1% were Black, 28.8% were Hispanic, 27.8% were White, and 10.4% were Other races.
   
• Their average age was 37 years. 
   
• 96.3% were United States citizens.
   
• 35.1% were in the highest criminal history category (Criminal History Category VI);
  • 4.0% were CHC I;
  • 0.3% were CHC II;
  • 14.9% were CHC III;
  • 24.2% were CHC IV;
  • 21.5% were CHC V.
• The top five districts for individuals sentenced for escape offenses were:
  • Western District of Texas (27);
  • District of Arizona (24);
  • Eastern District of Missouri (21);
  • District of New Mexico (17);
  • Southern District of Iowa (15).
• 0.7% of cases involved the use or threat of force against any person.
   
• 63.2% of cases involved an individual escaping from the non-secure custody of a community corrections center, community treatment center, “halfway house,” or other similar facility. 
   
• 7.3% of cases involved an individual escaping from non-secure custody and returning voluntarily within 96 hours. 
   
• 2.0% of individuals recklessly endangered another person during flight from law enforcement. 
   
• None of the individuals sentenced for escape received an increase for aiding or abetting the offense while serving as a law enforcement or correctional officer or employee, or as an employee of the Department of Justice.

Punishment

• The average sentence for individuals sentenced for escape was 14 months.
   
• 98.3% were sentenced to prison.

Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range

• 71.5% of individuals who escaped were sentenced under the Guidelines Manual:
  • 93.5% were sentenced within the guideline range.
     
  • 0.9% received a substantial assistance departure.[3] 
     
  • 4.6% received some other downward departure.
    • Their average sentence reduction was 40.5%.
  • 0.9% received an upward departure.[4]
     
• 28.5% received a variance; of those individuals: 
  • 84.9% received a downward variance.
    • Their average sentence reduction was 42.2%.
  • 15.1% received an upward variance.
    • Their average sentence increase was 64.4%.

• The average guideline minimum and average sentence imposed remained steady over the past five years.
  • The average guideline minimum increased from 13 months in fiscal year 2019 to 14 months in fiscal year 2023.
     
  • The average sentence imposed increased from 13 months in fiscal year 2019 to 14 months in fiscal year 2023.