[United States Government Manual]
[June 01, 2000]
[Pages 82-84]
[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, www.ussc.gov.
Chair                                             Diana E. Murphy
Vice Chairs                                       Ruben Castillo, 
                                                          William K. 
                                                          Sessions III, 
                                                          John R. Steer
Commissioners                                     Sterling Johnson, Jr., 
                                                          Joe Kendall, 
                                                          Michael 
                                                          O'Neill

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Commissioners (ex officio)                        Michael J. Gaines, 
                                                          Laird C. 
                                                          Kirkpatrick
Staff Director                                    Timothy B. McGrath, 
                                                          Acting
General Counsel                                   Donald A. Purdy, Jr., 
                                                          Acting
Public Affairs Officer                            Michael Courlander
Director of Administration and Planning           Susan L. Winarsky
Director of Education and Sentencing Practice     Sharon O. Henegan
Director of Legislative and Governmental Affairs  Kenneth P. Cohen
Director of Monitoring                            Richard J. McNeil
Director of Policy Analysis                       Louis W. Reedt, Acting
Special Counsel                                   Judith W. 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. 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 
through the Internet, at 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, www.ussc.gov.


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