This page shares two compassionate release stories. In one, a woman with ALS was released so she could spend her final weeks at home. In the other, a man who fought with prison officials has kept getting denied. Together they show how much the way you ask can matter.
At Criminal Center, we know of a number of successful compassionate release petitions. Federal criminal law is the center of our work. Few things mean more to us than helping bring someone home so they can spend their final weeks and months with family and friends.
Why compassionate release is hard to get
Getting compassionate release is rarely simple. Someone has to look into the person’s personal and medical history. Someone has to study the Bureau of Prisons’ compassionate release policies and criteria. Then a strong petition has to be written.
On top of that, the Bureau almost always needs a push before it gives a request the attention it deserves.
Over the years, we’ve learned that real cases teach real lessons. That’s why we share these case studies.
Two case studies
Our first case study, Inmate Granted Compassionate Release: Case Study, tells the story of Sarah. She had ALS (a disease that slowly destroys the nerves that control muscles), but it went undiagnosed for three years while she was in federal prison. In March 2016, she was released from Bureau of Prisons’ custody. She was able to spend her final few weeks at home with her family.
The other case study, How Not to Seek a Compassionate Release: Case Study, tells the story of Jim, who was not our client. Jim was blind and had suffered a series of heart attacks. Unlike Sarah, he chose to fight with the officials reviewing his request. That hurt him. To date, Jim has continued to be denied compassionate release.
Why the first request matters
First impressions count when you ask for a reduced sentence. The first request often sets the tone and the story for every request that comes after it. These cases show why it helps to handle the process carefully from start to finish.
If you want help with a compassionate release request, book a consultation.