[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 5 (Friday, January 7, 1994)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1138-1139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-366]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 7, 1994]


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Part IV





Department of Justice





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Bureau of Prisons



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28 CFR Part 571, et al.




Control, Custody, Care, Treatment and Instruction of Inmates; 
Compassionate Release; Drug Abuse Treatment Programs; Rule and Proposed 
Rule
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Bureau of Prisons

28 CFR Parts 571 and 572

RIN 1120-AA09

 
Control, Custody, Care, Treatment and Instruction of Inmates; 
Compassionate Release

AGENCY: Bureau of Prisons, Justice.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule revises the procedures for early inmate release 
under extraordinary or compelling circumstances in order to include 
provisions applicable to inmates who were sentenced under the new law 
sentencing guidelines that eliminated parole. In addition, the rule 
provisions relating to inmate release in response to prison 
overcrowding have been eliminated in conformance with revised Parole 
Commission procedures, a section has been added to note the 
ineligibility of certain offenders, and various administrative 
procedures have been simplified. Releases have been most often applied 
in cases where the inmate is terminally ill. The application of the 
rule has not been modified. The practical effect should remain the 
release or parole of a limited number of inmates under extraordinary or 
compelling circumstances.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 7, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Office of General Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, HOLC Room 754, 
320 First Street, NW., Washington, DC 20534.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy Nanovic, Office of General 
Counsel, Bureau of Prisons, phone (202) 514-6655.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Bureau of Prisons is amending its 
regulations on Procedures for the Implementation of 18 U.S.C. 4205(g). 
A final rule on this subject was published in the Federal Register 
October 21, 1983 (48 FR 48973).
    The regulations have been revised for two main reasons. First, the 
revisions now include sentence modifications as stated in 18 U.S.C. 
3582(c)(1)(A), the provisions applicable to inmates sentenced under the 
1984 Sentencing Guidelines, as well as the sentence modifications found 
in 18 U.S.C. 4205(g) for those inmates eligible for parole under the 
prior sentencing rules. Also, the regulations have modified the 
language of the standard employed to conform to the statutory language 
of ``extraordinary and compelling'' reasons for the request. The 
standards to evaluate requests for early release remain the same. The 
only additional procedure required of inmates who request early release 
is the inclusion of a proposed release plan. The plan verifies that the 
inmate will be properly cared for upon release, and it may be completed 
by staff if the inmate is unable to complete the proposal.
    Additional changes include the removal of former Sec. 572.42 in 
conformance with revised regulations of the Parole Commission, the 
removal of the requirement that the inmate provide in the request 
information which can be obtained by staff through a review of the 
inmate's record, and the addition of new Sec. 571.64 noting the 
ineligibility of certain offenders.
    As an editorial amendment, the revised compassionate release 
provisions have been redesignated from part 572 to part 571 in order to 
reflect applicability to new law commitments. A cross-reference remains 
in part 572.
    Because the revised rule imposes no additional burdens or 
restrictions on inmates, the Bureau finds good cause for exempting the 
provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) requiring 
notice of proposed rulemaking, the opportunity for public comment, and 
delay in effective date. Members of the public may submit comments 
concerning this rule by writing to the previously cited address. These 
comments will be considered but will receive no response in the Federal 
Register.
    The Bureau of Prisons has determined that this rule is not a 
significant regulatory action for the purpose of E.O. 12866; this rule 
was reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to E.O. 
12866. After review of the law and regulations, the Director, Bureau of 
Prisons has certified that this rule, for the purpose of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (Pub. L. 96-354), does not have a significant impact on 
a substantial number of small entities.

List of Subjects in 28 CFR Parts 571 and 572

    Prisoners.
Kathleen M. Hawk,
Director, Bureau of Prisons.

    Accordingly, pursuant to the rulemaking authority vested in the 
Attorney General in 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and delegated to the Director, 
Bureau of Prisons in 28 CFR 0.96(p), parts 571 and 572 in subchapter D 
of 28 CFR, chapter V are amended as set forth below.

SUBCHAPTER D--COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND RELEASE

PART 571--RELEASE FROM CUSTODY

    1. The authority citation for 28 CFR part 571 is revised to read as 
follows:


    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 18 U.S.C. 3565, 3568-3569 (Repealed in 
part as to offenses committed on or after November 1, 1987), 3582, 
3621, 3622, 3624, 4001, 4042, 4081, 4082 (Repealed in part as to 
offenses committed on or after November 1, 1987), 4161-4166 and 
4201-4218 (Repealed as to offenses committed on or after November 1, 
1987), 5006-5024 (Repealed October 12, 1984 as to offenses committed 
after that date), 5031-5042; 28 U.S.C. 509, 510; U.S. Const., Art. 
II, Sec. 2; 28 CFR 0.95-0.99, 1.1-1.10.

    2. In part 571, subpart G, consisting of Secs. 571.60 through 
571.64, is added to read as follows:
Subpart G--Compassionate Release (Procedures for the Implementation of 
18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A) and 4205(g))
Sec.
571.60  Purpose and scope.
571.61  Initiation of request--extraordinary or compelling 
circumstances.
571.62  Approval of request.
571.63  Denial of request.
571.64  Ineligible offenders.

Subpart G--Compassionate Release (Procedures for the Implementation 
of 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A) and 4205(g))


Sec. 571.60  Purpose and scope.

    Under 18 U.S.C. 4205(g), a sentencing court, on motion of the 
Bureau of Prisons, may make an inmate with a minimum term sentence 
immediately eligible for parole by reducing the minimum term of the 
sentence to time served. Under 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A), a sentencing 
court, on motion of the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, may reduce 
the term of imprisonment of an inmate sentenced under the Comprehensive 
Crime Control Act of 1984. The Bureau uses 18 U.S.C. 4205(g) and 18 
U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A) in particularly extraordinary or compelling 
circumstances which could not reasonably have been foreseen by the 
court at the time of sentencing.


Sec. 571.61  Initiation of request--extraordinary or compelling 
circumstances.

    (a) A request for a motion under 18 U.S.C. 4205(g) or 3582(c)(1)(A) 
shall be submitted to the Warden. Ordinarily, the request shall be in 
writing, and submitted by the inmate. An inmate may initiate a request 
for consideration under 18 U.S.C. 4205(g) or 3582(c)(1)(A) only when 
there are particularly extraordinary or compelling circumstances which 
could not reasonably have been foreseen by the court at the time of 
sentencing. The inmate's request shall at a minimum contain the 
following information:
    (1) The extraordinary or compelling circumstances that the inmate 
believes warrant consideration.
    (2) Proposed release plans, including where the inmate will reside, 
how the inmate will support himself/herself, and, if the basis for the 
request involves the inmate's health, information on where the inmate 
will receive medical treatment, and how the inmate will pay for such 
treatment.
    (b) The Bureau of Prisons processes a request made by another 
person on behalf of an inmate in the same manner as an inmate's 
request. Staff shall refer a request received at the Central Office or 
at a Regional Office to the Warden of the institution where the inmate 
is confined.


Sec. 571.62  Approval of request.

    (a) The Bureau of Prisons makes a motion under 18 U.S.C. 4205(g) or 
3582(c)(1)(A) only after review of the request by the Warden, the 
Regional Director, the General Counsel, and either the Medical Director 
for medical referrals or the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs 
Division for non-medical referrals, and with the approval of the 
Director, Bureau of Prisons.
    (1) The Warden shall promptly review a request for consideration 
under 18 U.S.C. 4205(g) or 3582(c)(1)(A). If the Warden, upon an 
investigation of the request determines that the request warrants 
approval, the Warden shall refer the matter in writing with 
recommendation to the Regional Director.
    (2) If the Regional Director determines that the request warrants 
approval, the Regional Director shall prepare a written recommendation 
and refer the matter to the Office of General Counsel.
    (3) If the General Counsel determines that the request warrants 
approval, the General Counsel shall solicit the opinion of either the 
Medical Director or the Assistant Director, Correctional Programs 
Division depending upon the nature of the basis of the request. With 
this opinion, the General Counsel shall forward the entire matter to 
the Director, Bureau of Prisons, for final decision.
    (4) If the Director, Bureau of Prisons, grants a request under 18 
U.S.C. 4205(g), the Director will contact the U.S. Attorney in the 
district in which the inmate was sentenced regarding moving the 
sentencing court on behalf of the Bureau of Prisons to reduce the 
minimum term of the inmate's sentence to time served. If the Director, 
Bureau of Prisons, grants a request under 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A), the 
Director will contact the U.S. Attorney in the district in which the 
inmate was sentenced regarding moving the sentencing court on behalf of 
the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to reduce the inmate's term of 
imprisonment to time served.
    (b) Upon receipt of notice that the sentencing court has entered an 
order granting the motion under 18 U.S.C. 4205(g), the Warden of the 
institution where the inmate is confined shall schedule the inmate for 
hearing on the earliest Parole Commission docket. Upon receipt of 
notice that the sentencing court has entered an order granting the 
motion under 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A), the Warden of the institution 
where the inmate is confined shall release the inmate forthwith.
    (c) In the event the basis of the request is the medical condition 
of the inmate, staff shall expedite the request at all levels.


Sec. 571.63  Denial of request.

    (a) When an inmate's request is denied by the Warden or Regional 
Director, the disapproving official shall provide the inmate with a 
written notice and statement of reasons for the denial. The inmate may 
appeal the denial through the Administrative Remedy Procedure (28 CFR 
part 542, subpart B).
    (b) When an inmate's request for consideration under 18 U.S.C. 
4205(g) or 3582(c)(1)(A) is denied by the General Counsel, the General 
Counsel shall provide the inmate with a written notice and statement of 
reasons for the denial. This denial constitutes a final administrative 
decision.
    (c) When the Director, Bureau of Prisons, denies an inmate's 
request, the Director shall provide the inmate with a written notice 
and statement of reasons for the denial within 20 workdays after 
receipt of the referral from the Office of General Counsel. A denial by 
the Director constitutes a final administrative decision.
    (d) Because a denial by the General Counsel or Director, Bureau of 
Prisons, constitutes a final administrative decision, an inmate may not 
appeal the denial through the Administrative Remedy Procedure.


Sec. 571.64  Ineligible offenders.

    The Bureau of Prisons has no authority to initiate a request under 
18 U.S.C. 4205(g) or 3582(c)(1)(A) on behalf of state prisoners housed 
in Bureau of Prisons facilities or D.C. Code offenders confined in 
federal institutions. The Bureau of Prisons cannot initiate such a 
motion on behalf of federal offenders who committed their offenses 
prior to November 1, 1987, and received non-parolable sentences.

PART 572--PAROLE

    3. The authority citation for part 572 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 18 U.S.C. 4001, 4042, 4081, 4082 
(Repealed in part as to offenses committed on or after November 1, 
1987), 4205, 5015 (Repealed October 12, 1984 as to offenses 
committed after that date), 5039; 28 U.S.C. 509, 510; 28 CFR 0.95-
0.99.

    4. In part 572, subpart E, consisting of Secs. 572.40 through 
572.44, is revised to consist of Sec. 572.40 as follows.
Subpart E--Compassionate Release (Procedures for the Implementation of 
18 U.S.C. 4205(g))
Sec.
572.40  Compassionate release under 18 U.S.C. 4205(g).

Subpart E--Compassionate Release (Procedures for the Implementation 
of 18 U.S.C. 4205(g))


Sec. 572.40  Compassionate release under 18 U.S.C. 4205(g).

    18 U.S.C. 4205(g) was repealed effective November 1, 1987, but 
remains the controlling law for inmates whose offenses occurred prior 
to that date. For inmates whose offenses occurred on or after November 
1, 1987, the applicable statute is 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A). Procedures 
for compassionate release of an inmate under either provision are 
contained in 28 CFR part 571, subpart G.

[FR Doc. 94-366 Filed 1-6-94; 8:45 am]
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