U.S. Sentencing Commission Announces Appointment of Members to New Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Research and Data Practices

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Judge Carlton W. Reeves, Chair of the US Sentencing Commission, today announced the appointment of members of the newly established Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Research and Data Practices (RDPAG). This new advisory group is comprised of criminal justice and social science research experts that will help ensure that the Commission continues to employ best practices regarding data collection, interpretation and analysis consistent with other government agencies and non-governmental organizations.

Judge Reeves said, “My colleagues and I are incredibly proud of the research operation we have. It is the engine behind the many common-sense, bipartisan policies we have developed, and we expect to continue to implement during my time as Chair of the Commission.”

Reeves continued, “The Commission’s statutory responsibilities include evidence-based sentencing policy and practices, evaluating the effectiveness and fairness of federal sentencing in the criminal justice system, and conducting research to help drive our work forward. This new advisory group will help ensure that our research continues to be world-class and cutting-edge. I am grateful to the RDPAG members who are willing to serve in this important endeavor.”

RDPAG members are as follows:

• Calvin Johnson, Ph.D., Chair
• Douglas Berman
• Colleen Berryessa, Ph.D.
• Rayid Ghani
• Melissa Hamilton, Ph.D.
• Natalie Harris
• Rhys Hester, Ph.D.
• Chang Kwon, Ph.D.
• Sam Merchant
• David Pitts, Ph.D.
• Cassia Spohn, Ph.D.
• Jeffrey Ulmer, Ph.D.
• Kevin Wolff, Ph.D.
• Christina Yancey, Ph.D.
• Jiashen You, Ph.D.

Research and Data Practices Advisory Group

The Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Research and Data Practices (RDPAG) is established by the Commission as an ad hoc advisory group to the Commission under 28 U.S.C. § 995 and Rule 5.4 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. The purpose of the RDPAG is—

1. to assist the Commission in carrying out its statutory responsibilities under 28 U.S.C. §§ 991(b) and 995(a)(12)–(16);
2. to study the best practices of other government agencies and nongovernmental organizations (including those that perform tasks or provide services not related to criminal justice) relating to the collection, maintenance, use, analysis, and dissemination of data relevant to the mission of such agencies and organizations, and the development and execution of research agendas;
3. to report and make recommendations on how the Commission may incorporate any best practice to more effectively carry out its statutory duties and responsibilities under 28 U.S.C. §§ 991(b) and 995(a)(12)–(16), and fulfill its unique role as a clearinghouse for federal sentencing statistics and practices; and
4. to perform any other related functions as the Commission requests.

• Charter
• Members