Health risks and rehab win release at Fort Dix (2021)

Originally published May 1, 2021. Statements about the law were updated in October 2026; the box below gives today’s rules.

What the law says now (October 2026). A federal judge can reduce a sentence for “extraordinary and compelling” reasons (reasons that are especially unusual and convincing). You must first ask the warden in writing. You can file in court 30 days after the warden gets the request, or sooner if you finish the Bureau of Prisons’ appeals (18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)). The judge also weighs the sentencing factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). See who may seek compassionate release.

Rehabilitation. By law, rehabilitation alone is not an extraordinary and compelling reason (28 U.S.C. § 994(t)). It can be weighed together with other reasons (U.S.S.G. § 1B1.13(d)).
COVID-19 and outbreaks. Today a court looks at whether the prison is affected, or at imminent risk of being affected, by an ongoing infectious disease outbreak or public health emergency, and whether the person faces a higher risk of severe illness or death that cannot be reduced in time (U.S.S.G. § 1B1.13(b)(1)(D)).

Outcomes vary. A past result does not predict or guarantee the outcome of any other case.

A federal judge in New York granted compassionate release to Jamar Williams. The court pointed to his health conditions that raised his COVID-19 risk, his serious work on rehabilitation, his release plan, and a severe outbreak at his prison.

April 28, 2021

medical

United States v. Williams

United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 80535

Read the court’s order: US_DIS_NYED_1_10cr657_MEMORANDUM_ORDER_granting_530_Motion_to_Reduce_Sen

His case

Jamar Williams was charged with conspiring to traffic at least one kilogram of heroin, at least five kilograms of cocaine and at least 280 grams of cocaine base. He was also charged with conspiring to rob a rival drug dealer and with firing a gun in connection with a drug crime.

The court’s sentence included a 60-month term set to run consecutively (one after the other), for a total of 180 months. Williams had been in custody since his arrest on August 27, 2010, and was scheduled for release on August 20, 2023.

Why he asked for release

Williams asked for compassionate release for several reasons.

His health. He has been diagnosed as obese (a BMI over 30) and has asthma and Type 2 diabetes. All of these put him at higher risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19.

His rehabilitation. His record showed he took rehabilitation seriously. In prison, he earned his GED and took part in a culinary arts apprenticeship. He also worked as a cook at FCI Fort Dix and received glowing praise from his supervisors.

His release plan. He had stable housing with his fiancée and a job offer at a close friend’s company. He also stayed close to friends and family who promised to support him after release.

The outbreak at his prison. FCI Fort Dix, where Williams was held, was dealing with a severe COVID-19 outbreak. As of December 31, 2020, it had over 586 confirmed positive cases, more than any other Bureau of Prisons facility in the country.

Why the judge said yes

The court noted that Williams’s co-conspirator had been granted compassionate release in August. The two men had similar records and were found guilty of similar conduct.

By then, Williams had served about 144 months of his 180-month sentence. After looking at all of these factors, the court granted Williams’ request for compassionate release.

If you want help with a compassionate release request, book a consultation.