Despite lacking a quorum, US Sentencing Commission still has an interesting and productive year

Regular readers are likely tired of hearing me complain about the US Sentencing Commission being crippled by a lack of Commissioners, but I hope some have noted my eagerness to compliment the “short-staffed” USSC for all the data and reports produced and promulgated through 2021.  This morning I received an email from the Commission providing a “year in review,” and I was struck again at what the Commission has achieved this past year even absent a quorum.  I cannot find this email in a web form, so I will here just reproduce some highlights (with links from the USSC and to the USSC website):

1. Preliminary FY21 data reveal a continued decline in sentencings and a historic shift in the makeup of the federal drug caseload. Learn more …

2. With the advent of COVID-19, tens of thousands of offenders sought compassionate release. The Commission tracked and reported this data throughout 2021. Learn more

In early 2022, look for a comprehensive new research report on compassionate release providing even greater analysis regarding the courts’ reasoning for granting or denying motions for compassionate release….

6. The Commission expanded its catalog of interactive tools designed for those working in the federal criminal justice system.

IDA Expansion: Interactive Data Analyzer feedback has been very positive and users continue to #AskIDA for even more data. The Commission has listened to your feedback. IDA is now updated with enhanced filtering capabilities—including a brand new data filter for career offenders. Learn more

JSIN Development: The Judiciary Sentencing INformation (JSIN) platform is an online sentencing data resource specifically developed with the needs of judges in mind. The platform provides quick and easy online access to average prison length and other sentencing data for similarly-situated defendants. Learn more