Federal courts sentenced 253 people for escape offenses in fiscal 2025, a small share of the 66,662 cases reported to the United States Sentencing Commission.
The category includes more than breaking out of a secure prison. It also covers failing to report to custody, leaving a community corrections center or failing to return after temporary release.
Sixty-three percent of the cases involved escape from non-secure custody such as a halfway house, community treatment center or similar facility. Seven percent involved leaving non-secure custody and returning voluntarily within 96 hours.
Force was uncommon in the sentencing data. Two percent involved the use or threat of force against a person, and 1% involved reckless endangerment during flight from law enforcement.
The Western District of Texas reported the most cases at 34, followed by the District of New Mexico with 15 and the District of Kansas with 11. District totals reflect federal prosecutions, not all escapes in those places.
Thirty-one percent of sentenced individuals were in Criminal History Category VI, the highest category, while 3% were in Category I. The average age was 37 and 98% were U.S. citizens.
The average sentence was 13 months and 99% received prison. Seventy-two percent were sentenced within the guideline range; 21% received a downward variance.
Average guideline minimums and imposed sentences were broadly steady over five years. The average guideline minimum moved from 13 months in fiscal 2021 to 12 months in 2025, while the average sentence stayed at 13 months.
The profile measures sentenced federal cases, not every escape incident or attempted escape. Counts can change with charging decisions, case timing and incomplete records, and the Commission excludes cases missing required sentencing information.