S.D. Cal. · Prison OffensesFY2018–FY2025
Districts › Southern District of California
Prison Offenses in the Southern District of California
S.D. Cal. · Ninth Circuit · Prison Offenses nationally
The datafile contains cases reported to the Commission with sentencing documents. Sentence length statistics use the Commission's capped variable (sentences of 470 months or longer, including life, are recorded as 470 months) and exclude sentences of probation or a fine only. Figures are aggregates of past cases and are not a prediction for any case.
§ 1Length of prison terms
Interquartile range 0–6 months; mean 4. 0 cases at the Commission's 470-month cap (life or longer).
§ 2Summary
Prison Offenses was the primary offence type in 241 cases sentenced in the Southern District of California between FY2018 and FY2025 (1% of the district's cases), with 22 in FY2025.
The median prison term was 4 months, shorter than the national median for prison offences (10 months) and shorter than the Ninth Circuit median (6). Half of prison terms fell between 0 and 6 months; — of cases carried a prison term.
41% of these sentences were within the guideline range (nationally for this offence type: 63%); 38% were below the range on a government motion and 21% below it for other reasons.
FY2025 had fewer cases than FY2018 (22 against 29). The median prison term in FY2025 (6 months) was longer than in FY2018 (4 months).
These are aggregates of past cases. The guideline range for any case depends on its offence level, criminal history and statutory minimums, and the sentence on the court's findings; no figure here estimates an outcome.
§ 3Position relative to the guideline range
Within guideline range 41%Above range <10Below range, government sponsored 38%Below range, other 21%Not determinable <10
§ 4Compared with the district, the circuit and the nation
| Measure | S.D. Cal., prison offenses | S.D. Cal., all offences | 9th Cir., prison offenses | US, prison offenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases per fiscal year | 30 | 3,295 | 79 | 499 |
| Share of district caseload | 0.9% | 100% | — | — |
| Median prison months | 4 | 15 | 6 | 10 |
| Mean prison months | 4 | 24 | — | 12 |
| Cases with a prison term | — | 95% | 97% | 96% |
| Within guideline range | 41% | 15% | 52% | 63% |
| Above range | — | 1% | — | 3% |
| Below range, government sponsored | 38% | 79% | 25% | 15% |
| Below range, other | 21% | 5% | 22% | 19% |
| Median final offence level | 7 | 17 | — | 7 |
§ 5Trend by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Cases | Prison | Median months | Within range | Below, gov. | Below, other | Above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2018 | 29 | — | 4 | 52% | — | — | 0% |
| FY2019 | 28 | 100% | 4 | 61% | — | — | 0% |
| FY2020 | 31 | 100% | 0 | 33% | — | 37% | 0% |
| FY2021 | 39 | 100% | 0 | 33% | 51% | — | 0% |
| FY2022 | 42 | — | 4 | 38% | 33% | 29% | 0% |
| FY2023 | 29 | — | 5 | — | 48% | — | 0% |
| FY2024 | 21 | 100% | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| FY2025 | 22 | 100% | 6 | 50% | — | — | 0% |
§ 6Criminal history
Share of cases at each final criminal history category; grey figure: prison offences nationally.
§ 7Guidelines applied
- §none · 5,333 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2P1.1 Escape, instigating or assisting escape · 52 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2P1.2 Providing or possessing contraband in prison · <10 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2X1.1 Attempt, solicitation or conspiracy (not covered by a specific guideline) · <10 cases in the district (all offence types)
- §2X3.1 Accessory after the fact · <10 cases in the district (all offence types)
Primary guidelines the Commission associates with this offence type, with the district's caseload under each across all offence types.
§ 8Questions and answers
What is the typical sentence for prison offences in the Southern District of California?
The median prison term over FY2018–FY2025 was 4 months, with the middle half of terms between 0 and 6 months. — of cases carried a prison term. The national median for prison offences is 10 months.
How often are prison offences sentenced below the guideline range here?
38% of sentences were below the range on a government motion and 21% below it for other reasons; 41% were within the range. The Commission's categories are explained in the guide to how the guidelines work.
How does this compare with the rest of the country?
Nationally, prison offences had a median prison term of 10 months and a within-range share of 63% over the same period. The district's figures are below on median term and lower than the national within-range share.
Which guidelines are involved?
The most common primary guidelines for these cases are §none, §2P1.1 and §2P1.2.
Is this a prediction for a particular case?
No. The figures are aggregates of sentences already imposed, as recorded by the US Sentencing Commission. They are not legal advice and do not estimate the outcome of any case.
§ 9Other offence types in the Southern District of California
- Immigration 11,983
- Drug Trafficking 11,061
- Fraud/Theft/Embezzlement 980
- Money Launder 676
- Firearms 372
- Administration of Justice 164
- Child Pornography 149
- Environmental 116
- Assault 96
- Drug Possession 95
- Robbery 79
- Sex Abuse 78
§ 10Provenance
Source: United States Sentencing Commission, Individual Offender Datafiles, fiscal years 2018–2025 (US government works), aggregated by this site; the FY2025 file is dated 29 Apr 2026. Offence type is the Commission's OFFGUIDE code 25; district is CIRCDIST 68. Counts below 10 are hidden or pooled. Errors in this site's processing are corrected at the next build; see corrections. Methodology.