Dear Friend,
On April 27, 2023, the United States Sentencing Commission submitted to Congress amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines that would recommend lower sentences for certain defendants, including those with so-called status points. Currently, status points add time for people serving a criminal sentence, including probation. The changes also include one for defendants with zero criminal history points, who are currently sentenced just like people with one point. The Commission is limiting the use of status points, and is providing a two-level guideline reduction for certain defendants with zero criminal history points.
The Commission is considering applying these changes retroactively, meaning incarcerated people whose sentences would be lower today may be eligible for a sentencing reduction. Around 18,775 people might be eligible for a sentencing reduction—and of those, an estimated 3,288 people would be immediately eligible for release.
We need your help to bring these people home from prison! The Commission is seeking comment from the public on whether it should make these reductions retroactive. To find a sample letter you can send the Commission and learn more about the impact of retroactivity, please visit this link: https://famm.org/ussccomments/
Note that comments are due by June 23, 2023. Thank you for your help!
Thank you,
