SECOND CHANCE 4 R.E.A.L.

We’re interrupting our clemency series with this urgent update. The United States Sentencing Commission has rolled out major changes to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines effective November 1, 2025 —and if these changes are made retroactive, they could lead to sentence reductions for many currently incarcerated individuals. This bulletin breaks down what changed, why it matters, and how to prepare.

📅 WHAT CHANGED ON NOVEMBER 1, 2025?

• Supervised Release Reform — Judges now have greater discretion not to impose supervised release when it’s unnecessary.
• Drug Sentencing Reductions — Updates to drug-quantity tables could lower the base offense level for many non-violent drug offenders.
• Criminal History Point Revisions — Certain minor or older convictions may no longer count toward your criminal-history category.
• Clarified Role Reductions — Courts have refined how to decide whether a defendant played a minor role.
• Firearm Enhancements Narrowed — Fewer automatic increases for possession depending on circumstances.

⏳ IS IT RETROACTIVE YET?

Not yet. The Commission is still deciding whether these changes will apply to people sentenced before November 1, 2025. Until then, these only apply to future cases.

🛠 HOW TO PREPARE NOW

Even before a retroactivity decision, start preparing:

• ✅ Request your documents: PSR, Judgment, Sentencing transcript, Plea agreement.
• ✅ Check what applied to your case: drug weight levels, criminal history points, firearm enhancements, missing role reductions.
• ✅ Track your deadlines: Know your Judgment date for § 2255 or § 3582(c)(2) motion timelines.
• ✅ Communicate with family or advocates: Share this bulletin to help request records or track updates.

🔍 NEED HELP GETTING STARTED?

Write to Second Chance 4 R.E.A.L. or have a supporter reach out—we’ll help identify what to gather and how to prepare.

🔭 POSSIBLE UPCOMING HOT TAKES

• ⭐ Supervised Release Changes
• ⭐ Retroactivity Explained
• ⭐ Drug-Guideline Reductions & Safety Valve Updates
• ⭐ Criminal-History Revisions
• ⭐ How to Prepare for a § 3582 Motion

📬 NEED SUPPORT?

We can help you:

• Review sentencing history
• Organize legal documents
• Understand possible next steps