Offender Characteristics

• 88.8% of offenders in federal prison were sentenced within the past ten years; 68.2% were sentenced within the past five years.
   
• 92.9% are men.
   
• 34.6% are Black, 31.8% are Hispanic, 29.5% are White, and 4.1% are Other races.
   
• Their average age is 41 years;
  • 21.8% are 50 years or older;
  • 6.8% are 60 years or older.
     
• 84.4% are United States citizens.
   
• 30.0% have little or no prior criminal history (Criminal History Category I);
  • 9.6% are CHC II;
  • 15.3% are CHC III;
  • 12.0% are CHC IV;
  • 9.2% are CHC V;
  • 23.9% are CHC VI.
     
• 90.3% pleaded guilty.
   
  
   

• Among fraud offenders in federal prison the median loss amount is $988,462.
   
• 29.7% are serving a sentence for an offense involving a weapon:
  • 12.7% were convicted of possessing, brandishing, or discharging a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c);
  • 15.0% received a weapon enhancement under the guidelines;[5]
  • 2.0% were convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) and received a weapon enhancement under the guidelines.
     
• Sentences were increased for:
  • qualifying as a career offender or armed career criminal (12.3%);
  • a leadership or supervisory role in the offense (10.9%).
     
• Sentences were decreased for:
  • acceptance of responsibility (87.6%);
  • minor or minimal participation in the offense (4.0%).[4]

Punishment

• The average guideline minimum for offenders in federal prison was 165 months. The average length of imprisonment imposed was 145 months.
   
• 97.8% were also sentenced to serve a period of supervision after release from prison.

• 61.9% were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty; of those offenders, 23.3% were relieved of that penalty.
   
• 1.3% received a sentence reduction under Rule 35(b)— providing substantial assistance after sentencing.

Sentences Relative to the Guideline Range

• 97.8% of offenders in federal prison were sentenced after the United States v. Booker decision, which changed the sentencing guidelines from mandatory to advisory.[6]
   
• Of the 65.9% of offenders sentenced under the Guidelines Manual:
  • 70.3% were sentenced within the guideline range.
     
  • 17.4% received a substantial assistance departure.
    • Their average sentence reduction was 36.6%.
       
  • 6.6% received some other downward departure.
    • Their average sentence reduction was 28.6%.
       
  • 4.0% received an Early Disposition Program (EDP) departure.[7]
    • Their average sentence reduction was 43.0%.
       
• 34.1% received a variance; of those offenders:
  • 89.4% received a downward variance.
    • Their average sentence reduction was 26.4%.
       
  • 10.6% received an upward variance.
    • Their average sentence increase was 60.5%.