What does the United States Sentencing Commission do?

The United States Sentencing Commission is an independent agency within the federal government established by the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984. Its primary purpose is to study and establish sentencing guidelines for the federal judiciary to ensure consistent and fair sentencing for federal crimes.12

These guidelines provide courts with structured recommendations—including classifications for offenses and offenders, scales of severity, and suggested punishments—to help determine appropriate prison terms based on factors such as the gravity of the offense and an individual's criminal record. By providing these frameworks, the commission aims to reduce unwarranted disparities in sentencing.132

Beyond establishing guidelines, the commission may take actions to address specific legal inequities. For example, the commission has previously made changes to sentencing rules retroactive, allowing individuals convicted under older legal regimes to seek reduced sentences when disparities in punishment—such as those involving different forms of cocaine—are identified and corrected.1