Individual and Offense Characteristics

• 88.5% of individuals in federal prison were sentenced within the past ten years; 66.9% were sentenced within the past five years.
   
• 93.3% are men.
   
• 34.9% are Black, 30.7% are Hispanic, 29.9% are White, and 4.5% are Other races.
   
• Their average age is 42 years;
  • 22.5% are 50 years or older;
  • 7.3% are 60 years or older.
• 85.3% are United States citizens.
   
• 31.2% have little or no prior criminal history (Criminal History Category I);
  • 10.5% are CHC II;
  • 14.9% are CHC III;
  • 11.1% are CHC IV;
  • 9.3% are CHC V;
  • 23.0% are CHC VI.
• 90.3% pleaded guilty.
   
  
   

• 31.8% of individuals in federal prison are serving a sentence for an offense involving a weapon:
  • 13.3% were convicted of possessing, brandishing, or discharging a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c);
  • 16.5% received a weapon enhancement under the guidelines;[4]
  • 2.1% were convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) and received a weapon enhancement under the guidelines.
• Among individuals sentenced for fraud, the median loss amount was $1,211,500.
   
• Sentences were increased for:
  • qualifying as a "career offender" or armed career criminal (11.0%);
  • a leadership or supervisory role in the offense (10.6%).
• Sentences were decreased for:
  • acceptance of responsibility (87.7%);
  • minor or minimal participation in the offense (3.3%).

Punishment

• The average guideline minimum for individuals in federal prison was 173 months. The average length of imprisonment imposed was 152 months.
   
• 98.2% were also sentenced to serve a period of supervision after release from prison.

• 61.8% were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty; of those individuals, 21.1% were relieved of that penalty.
   
• 1.2% received a sentence reduction under Rule 35(b)— providing substantial assistance after sentencing.

Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range

• 98.3% of sentences for individuals in federal prison were imposed after the United States v. Booker decision, which changed the sentencing guidelines from mandatory to advisory.[5]
   
• 62.3% of sentences for individuals in federal prison were under the Guidelines Manual:
  • 45.1% were sentenced within the guideline range.
     
  • 10.7% were substantial assistance departures.
    • The average sentence reduction was 36.5%.
  • 1.5% were Early Disposition Program (EDP) departures.[6]
    • The average sentence reduction was 41.6%.
  • 3.8% were some other downward departure.
    • The average sentence reduction was 28.6%.
  • 1.2% were upward departures.
    • The average sentence increase was 79.0%
• 37.7% were variances.
  • 33.5% were downward variances.
    • Their average sentence reduction was 25.9%.
  • 4.2% were upward variances.
    • Their average sentence increase was 63.0%.