    [United States Government Manual]
    [June 01, 1999]
    [Pages 83-85]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION

    Suite 2-500, South Lobby, One Columbus Circle NE., Washington, DC 20002-
    8002

    Phone, 202-502-4500. Internet, http://www.ussc.gov/.
    Chair                                             (vacancy)
    Vice Chair                                        (vacancy)
    Commissioners                                     (5 vacancies)
    Commissioners (ex officio)                        Michael J. Gaines,
                                                              (vacancy)
    Staff Director                                    Timothy B. McGrath,
                                                              Acting
    General Counsel                                   John R. Steer
    Network Administrator                             Joyce Bouwkamp
    Public Affairs Officer                            Michael Courlander
    Director of Education and Sentencing Practice     Sharon O. Henegan
    Director of Policy Analysis                       Lou Reedt, Acting
    Executive Assistant to the Chairman               Pamela Montgomery
    Chief Deputy General Counsel                      Donald A. Purdy, Jr.
    Director of Administration and Planning           Susan Winarsky
    Director of Legislative and Governmental Affairs  Kenneth Cohen
    Director of Monitoring                            Richard McNeil, Acting
    Special Counsel                                   Judith Sheon

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The United States Sentencing Commission develops sentencing policies and
    practices for the Federal criminal justice system.

    The United States Sentencing Commission was established as an
    independent agency in the judicial branch of the Federal Government by
    the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 (28 U.S.C. 991 et seq. and 18 U.S.C.
    3551 et seq.). The Commission establishes sentencing policies and
    practices for the Federal courts, including guidelines prescribing the
    appropriate form and severity of punishment for offenders convicted of
    Federal crimes.
        The Commission is composed of seven voting members appointed by the
    President with the advice and consent of the Senate for 6-year terms,
    and two nonvoting members. One of the voting members is appointed
    Chairperson.
        The Commission evaluates the effects of the sentencing guidelines on
    the criminal justice system, advises Congress regarding the modification
    or enactment of statutes relating to criminal law and sentencing
    matters, establishes a research and development program on sentencing
    issues, and performs other related duties.
        In executing its duties, the Commission promulgates and distributes
    to Federal courts and to the U.S.

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    Probation System guidelines to be used in determining sentences to be
    imposed in criminal cases, general policy statements regarding the
    application of guidelines, and policy statements on the appropriate use
    of probation and supervised release revocation provisions. These
    sentencing guidelines and policy statements are designed to further the
    purposes of just punishment, deterrence, incapacitation, and
    rehabilitation; provide fairness in meeting the purposes of sentencing;
    avoid unwarranted disparity; and reflect advancement in the knowledge of
    human behavior as it relates to the criminal justice process.
        In addition, the Commission provides training, conducts research on
    sentencing-related issues, and serves as an information resource for
    Congress, criminal justice practitioners, and the public.

    Sources of Information

    Electronic Access  Commission information and materials may be obtained
    electronically. Internet, http://www.ussc.gov/.
    Guideline Application Assistance Helpline  Phone, 202-502-4545.
    Public Information  Information concerning Commission activities is
    available from the Office of Publishing and Public Affairs. Phone, 202-
    502-4590.

    For further information, contact the Office of Publishing and Public
    Affairs, United States Sentencing Commission, Suite 2-500, South Lobby,
    One Columbus Circle NE., Washington, DC 20002-8002. Phone, 202-502-4590.
    Internet, http://www.ussc.gov/.