Obtaining compassionate release from federal prison is not a simple undertaking. It is important that any federal prisoner who pursues such relief understand the process so that expectations are properly grounded and pitfalls are avoided. This page discusses the process of compassionate release in federal prison.
If you or a loved one are considering seeking compassionate release, we highly recommend that you retain competent counsel to help guide you through the process. Attorney Brandon Sample has helped numerous individuals obtain compassionate release. Text Brandon at 202-990-2500 today if you are looking for excellent representation.
Submission and Review at the Institutional Level: The First Step in the Compassionate Release from Prison Process
The compassionate release from prison process begins with the prisoner’s request to the Warden. Given the stakes involved, it is crucial that the prisoner’s application to the Warden be complete and thoroughly supported with available documentation. At a minimum, the application must include the extraordinary and compelling circumstances that justify consideration and the prisoner’s release plans. If the basis of the request is a medical condition, information on where the prisoner will receive treatment and how such treatment will be paid for must also be included.
Once the Warden receives the application, regulations require prompt review. Depending on the circumstances, the Warden may require a plethora of additional documents for review. For instance, if the extraordinary and compelling reason for compassionate release involves the death of a child’s caregiver, an additional twelve categories of documentation are required in order to support the application. A similar amount of additional documentation is required when the extraordinary and compelling reason for compassionate release involves the incapacitation of a spouse or registered partner.
Compassionate Release from Prison Process: After The Request to the Warden is Submitted
After Once the Warden’s review is complete, a decision is made at the local level. If the Warden denies the compassionate release request, the prisoner may appeal the Warden’s decision through the Bureau’s Administrative Remedy Program.
Alternatively, the prisoner may file a motion with his or her original sentencing court requesting a sentencing reduction.
If the Warden approves the request, the application is referred to the Bureau’s Office of General Counsel for review and processing. Regardless of approval or denial, this is the final local step of the compassionate release process in federal prison.
Central Office Review and U.S. Attorney’s Office Action
If the General Counsel determines that the request for compassionate release warrants approval, the General Counsel must then seek out the opinion of the Medical Director (if the request is based on a medical issue), or the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs Division (if the request is non-medical). The General Counsel then forwards the complete package, including the opinion, to the Director of the Bureau of Prisons.
The Director’s decision is the final word from the Bureau. If the Director approves the application, the Director then contacts the U.S. Attorney in the jurisdiction in which the prisoner was sentenced and requests the filing of a motion, on the Bureau’s behalf, asking the court to reduce the prisoner’s sentence to time served.
The sentencing court will then convene a hearing in which evidence, including the Bureau’s recommendation and supporting documentation, is considered. The court’s decision is final in this matter. If the motion is granted, the Bureau will immediately release the prisoner.
If you have questions about the process of compassionate release in federal prisons or would like to retain an attorney to assist you in researching, drafting, and filing a compassionate release petition, please call us at 202-990-2500.
var ddp_wl_options_for_js = {"ddp_wl_pn_for_js":"Divi Den Pro","ddp_wl_i_for_js":"https:\/\/compassionaterelease.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/ddpro\/\/include\/ddp-icon.png","ddp_ajax_url":"https:\/\/compassionaterelease.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","ddp_plugin_setting_tab_position":"on","ddp_status":"enabled","ddp_on_hold_status":"no","ddp_nonce":"f7ab4db9f3"};
var DIVI = {"item_count":"%d Item","items_count":"%d Items"};
var et_builder_utils_params = {"condition":{"diviTheme":true,"extraTheme":false},"scrollLocations":["app","top"],"builderScrollLocations":{"desktop":"app","tablet":"app","phone":"app"},"onloadScrollLocation":"app","builderType":"fe"};
var et_frontend_scripts = {"builderCssContainerPrefix":"#et-boc","builderCssLayoutPrefix":"#et-boc .et-l"};
var et_pb_custom = {"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/compassionaterelease.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","images_uri":"https:\/\/compassionaterelease.com\/wp-content\/themes\/Divi\/images","builder_images_uri":"https:\/\/compassionaterelease.com\/wp-content\/themes\/Divi\/includes\/builder\/images","et_frontend_nonce":"1b6cc9b75c","subscription_failed":"Please, check the fields below to make sure you entered the correct information.","et_ab_log_nonce":"5425e120ee","fill_message":"Please, fill in the following fields:","contact_error_message":"Please, fix the following errors:","invalid":"Invalid email","captcha":"Captcha","prev":"Prev","previous":"Previous","next":"Next","wrong_captcha":"You entered the wrong number in captcha.","wrong_checkbox":"Checkbox","ignore_waypoints":"no","is_divi_theme_used":"1","widget_search_selector":".widget_search","ab_tests":[],"is_ab_testing_active":"","page_id":"108","unique_test_id":"","ab_bounce_rate":"5","is_cache_plugin_active":"yes","is_shortcode_tracking":"","tinymce_uri":"https:\/\/compassionaterelease.com\/wp-content\/themes\/Divi\/includes\/builder\/frontend-builder\/assets\/vendors","accent_color":"#2ea3f2","waypoints_options":[]};
var et_pb_box_shadow_elements = [];
