Crack Cocaine

February 2025

(February 2025) These retroactivity reports present data on either: 1) the potential impact of retroactive application...

Learn More

January 24, 2025

Press Releases

The Commission published another round of proposed amendments and issues for comment for the amendment cycle ending May...

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

Crack Cocaine Trafficking

Quick Facts

June 2024

Download the PDF

Learn More

Topic

Reports At A Glance: Recidivism and BOP Programs

Report-At-A-Glance

June 2022

This handout presents a brief overview of the Commission's 2022 reports, Recidivism and Federal Bureau of Prisons...

Handout

Drug Programs Report

Work Programs Report

Learn More

Topic

Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

Recidivism of Federal Drug Trafficking Offenders Released in 2010

January 2022

(January 2022) This report is the third in a series continuing the Commission’s research of the recidivism of federal...

Learn More

The First Step Act of 2018: One Year of Implementation

August 2020

(August 2020) With a full year of data now available since the passage of the First Step Act of 2018, the Commission...

Learn More

Report At A Glance: The First Step Act of 2018

Report-At-A-Glance

August 2020

This infographic presents an overview of the Commission's 2020 report, The First Step Act of 2018: One Year of...

Infographic

Full Report

Learn More

Topic

Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

Firearms

First Step Act of 2018

Report At A Glance: Retroactivity and Recidivism

Report-At-A-Glance

August 2020

This infographic presents an overview of the Commission's 2020 report, Retroactivity and Recidivism: The Drugs Minus Two...

Infographic

Full Report

Learn More

Topic

Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

Application and Impact of Section 851 Enhancements

July 2018

(July 2018) This publication examines the application and impact of the statutory penalty enhancement for federal drug...

Learn More

Report At A Glance: 851 Enhancements

Report-At-A-Glance

July 2018

This handout presents an overview of the Commission's 2018 report, Application and Impact of 21 U.S.C. § 851: Enhanced...

Handout

Full Report

Learn More

Topic

Recidivism Among Federal Offenders Receiving Retroactive Sentence Reductions: The 2011 Fair Sentencing Act Guideline Amendment

March 2018

(March 2018) This publication analyzes recidivism among crack cocaine offenders who were released early after...

Learn More

Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Drug Offenses in the Federal System

October 2017

(October 2017) Using fiscal year 2016 data, this publication includes analysis similar to that in the 2017 Overview...

Learn More

Recidivism Among Federal Drug Trafficking Offenders

February 2017

(February 2017) This report examines a group of 10,888 federal drug trafficking offenders who were released in calendar...

Learn More

August 3, 2015

Press Releases

– Five years after its enactment, the Commission submitted to Congress its report assessing the impact of the Fair...

Learn More

2015 Report to the Congress: Impact of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

August 2015

(August 2015) The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 (FSA) reduced the statutory penalties for crack cocaine offenses to...

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2016 Priorities and Request for Public Comment

June 2015

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

The Commission is seeking comment on possible priority policy issues for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2016 (80 FR...

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final 2014 Priorities

August 2014

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final Action Regarding Amendment to Policy Statement §1B1.10, Effective November 1, 2014

July 2014

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2014 Priorities and Request for Public Comment

June 2014

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

Learn More

Recidivism Among Offenders Receiving Retroactive Sentence Reductions: The 2007 Crack Cocaine Amendment

May 2014

This publication provides an updated recidivism analysis of crack cocaine offenders who were released early after...

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final Action Regarding 2011 Retroactivity

July 2011

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions: 2011 Retroactive Crack Cocaine Guideline Amendment

June 2011

This document provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Commission's decision to give...

Learn More

Topic

Backgrounder

Drugs

Crack Cocaine

Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

Final Amendments

Retroactivity

June 30, 2011

Press Releases

- Commission unanimously votes to apply proposed permanent amendment implementing the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010...

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Text of Retroactivity Amendment

June 2011

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20110630_RF_Amendment_Retro.pdf

20100430_Amendments.pdf

Learn More

Public Comment from June 2, 2011

June 2011

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

2007 Crack Cocaine Amendment

June 2011

Data on Retroactive Application of the 2007 Crack Cocaine Amendment A set of tables presenting data on cases in which a...

Learn More

Topic

Federal Register Notice of Submission to Congress 2011 Amendments, Request for Comment

May 2011

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Amendments Submitted to Congress April 28, 2011 (effective November 1, 2011)

April 2011

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20110428_RF_Amendments_Final.pdf

20110428_Amendments.pdf

Learn More

April 6, 2011

Press Releases

- Commission promulgates amendments for the 2010-2011 amendment cycle.

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

Public Comment from March 21, 2011

March 2011

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of the Proposed 2011 Guideline Amendments

January 2011

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

20110119_RFP_Amendments.pdf

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Proposed Amendments to Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Commentary, Request for Public Comment

January 2011

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

Supplement to the 2010 Guidelines Manual

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Emergency 2010 Fair Sentencing Act Amendment

October 2010

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Final, Temporary, Emergency Amendment to Sentencing Guidelines and Commentary: Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

October 2010

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20101021_RF_Amendments.pdf

Learn More

October 15, 2010

Press Releases

- Commission promulgates emergency, temporary amendment implementing the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010.

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

Public Comment from October 13, 2010

October 2010

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final 2010 Priorities

September 2010

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Proposed Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 Amendment, Issues for Comment

September 2010

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Proposed Emergency Temporary Amendment and Issues for Comment: Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

September 2010

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

20100902_RF_Amendments.pdf

Learn More

Public Comment from August 25, 2010

August 2010

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2010 Priorities and Request for Public Comment

January 2010

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final 2009 Priorities

September 2009

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Proposed Priorities and Request for Public Comment

June 2009

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final 2008 Priorities

September 2008

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2008 Priorities, Request for Comment

August 2008

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Amendments on Crack Cocaine and Retroactivity (effective May 1, 2008)

May 2008

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20080501_RF_Amendments.pdf

20080501_Amendments.pdf

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Amendments on Crack Cocaine and Retroactivity (effective May 1, 2008) and Amendments Submitted to Congress on May 1, 2008 (effective November 1, 2008)

May 2008

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20080501_RF_Amendments_Final.pdf

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of final action regarding amendments to a policy statement and commentary effective May 1, 2008.

April 2008

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of Amendments on Retroactivity (effective March 3, 2008)

March 2008

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20080303_RF_Amendments.pdf

Learn More

December 11, 2007

Press Releases

- Commission Votes Unanimously to Apply Amendment Retroactively for Crack Cocaine Offenses; Effective Date for...

Learn More

Public Comment from November 1, 2007

November 2007

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final 2007 Priorities

September 2007

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Request for Comment on 2007 Crack Retroactivity

July 2007

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

BAC/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United States...

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2007 Priorities and Request for Public Comment

June 2007

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

BAC/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United States...

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Submission to Congress 2007 Amendments

May 2007

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of the 2007 Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines Submitted to Congress on May 11, 2007

May 2007

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

20070501_RF_Amendments.pdf

20070501_Amendments.pdf

Learn More

April 27, 2007

Press Releases

- United States Sentencing Commission votes to amend guidelines for Terrorism, Sex Offenses, Intellectual Property...

Learn More

"Reader-Friendly" Version of the 2007 Proposed Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Official Commentary

January 2007

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

20070130_RFP_Amendments.pdf

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of proposed amendments to sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary

January 2007

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final Action Regarding Amendments on Retroactivity, Effective March 3, 2008

January 2007

Amendment Cycle

Adopted Amendments

Learn More

November 14, 2006

Press Releases

- News Advisory: Public Hearing on Cocaine and Federal Sentencing Policy.

Learn More

November 14, 2006

Press Releases

- United States Sentencing Commission To Hold Public Hearing Tuesday On Cocaine and Sentencing Policy.

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final 2006 Priorities

September 2006

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2006 Priorities and Request for Public Comment

August 2006

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final 2005 Priorities

August 2005

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of proposed priorities and request for public comment

January 2005

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final 2004 Priorities

September 2004

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2004 Priorities

June 2004

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Final 2003 Priorities

September 2003

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...

Learn More

Notice of final policy priorities for amendment cycle ending May 1, 2003

September 2002

Amendment Cycle

Final Priorities

BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...

Learn More

May 22, 2002

Press Releases

- Sentencing Commission Reports on Cocaine Sentencing Policy.

Learn More

2002 Report to the Congress: Federal Cocaine Sentencing Policy

May 2002

The purpose of this report is to contribute to the ongoing assessment of federal cocaine sentencing policy by Congress...

Learn More

April 5, 2002

Press Releases

- Change In Federal Cocaine Sentencing Policy Recommended Findings To Be Submitted To Congress.

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of proposed amendments to sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary. Request for public comment

January 2002

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Amendments

Learn More

April 29, 1997

Press Releases

- Cocaine Sentencing Recommendations.

Learn More

1997 Report to the Congress: Cocaine and Federal Sentencing Policy

April 1997

Summary In response to directive by Congress, the Commission again has deliberated carefully over federal cocaine...

Learn More

Federal Register Notice of Priority Areas

July 1996

Amendment Cycle

Proposed Priorities

BAC2210-40 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts Agency: United States...

Learn More

1995 Report to the Congress: Cocaine and Federal Sentencing Policy

May 1995

This is the United States Sentencing Commission’s first report to Congress on the subject of federal cocaine sentencing...

Learn More

Policy Profile: The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

Sensible Sentencing Reform: The Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 This document provides background information on the impact...

Learn More

Topic

Fair Sentencing Act of 2010

Policy Profiles

Crack Cocaine

Sign Up for Email Updates