Text A Compassionate Release Lawyer Now
Brandon Sample Reuters

Frequently Asked Questions About Compassionate Release

Compassionate release allows inmates in federal prison to request a reduction in sentence when they have “extraordinary and compelling” reasons. Broadly speaking, such inmates can be released due to medical, non-medical, and elderly reasons.

In an effort to answer all of your questions about federal compassionate release, we here at the Law Offices of Brandon Sample have developed a series of Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) pages on various related elements. We hope that these FAQs help clarify the process and answer all of your questions

A detailed overview of the Bureau of Prisons compassionate release program. This is a great place to start if you are new to the topic and want to quickly get up to speed.

Here we discuss the Terminal Medical Condition category of compassionate release. This category applies to inmates diagnosed with a terminal medical condition who have less than eighteen months to live.

Here we discuss the Debilitated Medical Condition category of compassionate release. This category applies to inmates who suffer from debilitated medical conditions that leave them completely or mostly confined to a bed or chair.

Here we discuss the three categories of compassionate relief for elderly inmates. These consist of “New Law” Elderly

Inmates, Elderly Inmates with Medical Conditions, and Other Elderly Inmates. These categories cover all elderly inmate-related compassionate release requests.

Here we discuss the Death or Incapacitation of Child’s Caregiver category of compassionate release. This category applies to incarcerated parents who need to be released in order to care for their minor child because the existing caregiver has either died or become incapacitated.

Here we discuss the Incapacitation of Spouse or Partner category of compassionate release. This category applies to inmates who need to be released in order to care for their incapacitated spouse or partner. Such relationships include traditional marriages, common law marriages, civil unions, and registered domestic partnerships.

Here we explain the process of seeking compassionate release. Discussed are the various steps involved, a description of reviewing officials and their actions, and the involvement of U.S. Attorneys and U.S. District Courts. These FAQs focus on the official review of a submitted request.

Here we discuss compassionate release denials, appeal of denials, and the various policies and procedures governing denials. This can be helpful to read if you’ve recently been denied compassionate release.

Here we present available statistics concerning compassionate release. We profile the number of requests submitted, approvals, and denials. We also break down requests, approvals, and denials by category of compassionate release sought.

Here we discuss the complex interplay between U.S. Code, Code of Federal Regulations, Sentencing Guidelines, and both U.S. Sentencing Commission and Bureau of Prisons policy as it concerns federal compassionate release.

Here we discuss our law firm’s process and what we can do to help you secure compassionate release. We walk you through the phases of our work so you’ll know our process, what to expect, and what we can do for you.

If you still have questions after reading our Frequently Asked Questions About Compassionate Release, please call 202-990-2500 to speak with one of our attorneys.

Related Content