Compassionate Release
Compassionate release is a provision that allows early release from prison for inmates with extraordinary and compelling circumstances such as terminal illness, debilitating medical conditions, or advanced age. Federal compassionate release is administered by the BOP under 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A). The First Step Act allowed inmates to petition courts directly for compassionate release if the BOP does not act on a request within 30 days.
What Is Compassionate Release?
Compassionate release allows courts to reduce a federal sentence when extraordinary circumstances exist. Qualifying circumstances include terminal illness with a life expectancy of 18 months or less, serious medical conditions that substantially diminish the ability to provide self-care, and age combined with time served.
The process begins with a request to the BOP Warden. If the BOP does not act within 30 days, the inmate can petition the sentencing court directly under the First Step Act. Family members often play an important role by providing letters of support and a release plan to the court.
Related Terms
Explore other glossary terms that are closely connected to this topic.
First Step Act
The First Step Act is a federal criminal justice reform law signed in 2018 that made significant changes to federal sentencing and prison policies. Key provisions include increasing good time credits from 47 to 54 days per year, creating earned time credit programs for program participation, and expanding eligibility for elderly and terminally ill inmate compassionate release. The law affects federal inmates only and does not apply to state prisons.
AdministrationBOP
BOP stands for Bureau of Prisons, which is the federal agency that operates all federal correctional facilities in the United States.
AdministrationRelease Date
A release date is the date on which an incarcerated person is scheduled to be released from custody. Release dates can be projected (estimated) or confirmed based on sentence calculations, good time credits, and parole decisions. Federal inmate release dates are publicly available through the BOP inmate locator at bop.gov. State inmate release information varies by state and may be found through the state DOC offender search.
AdministrationReentry
Reentry refers to the process of transitioning from incarceration back into the community, including finding housing, employment, and support services.
People Also Ask
Related questions families often search for alongside this topic.
What is First Step Act?
The First Step Act is a federal criminal justice reform law signed in 2018 that made significant changes to federal sentencing and prison policies. Key provisions include increasing good time credits from 47 to 54 days per year, creating earned time credit programs for program participation, and expanding eligibility for elderly and terminally ill inmate compassionate release. The law affects federal inmates only and does not apply to state prisons.
Read full definitionWhat is BOP?
BOP stands for Bureau of Prisons, which is the federal agency that operates all federal correctional facilities in the United States.
Read full definitionWhat is Release Date?
A release date is the date on which an incarcerated person is scheduled to be released from custody. Release dates can be projected (estimated) or confirmed based on sentence calculations, good time credits, and parole decisions. Federal inmate release dates are publicly available through the BOP inmate locator at bop.gov. State inmate release information varies by state and may be found through the state DOC offender search.
Read full definitionWhat is Reentry?
Reentry refers to the process of transitioning from incarceration back into the community, including finding housing, employment, and support services.
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