US Sentencing Guidelines - Compassionate Release

h/t to Doug Berman over at Sentencing for pointing us to this possible change in guidelines that judges can use when considering early release.

On April 18, the United States Sentencing Commission voted unanimously to approve a new policy statement to instruct judges considering whether to reduce a prisoner's sentence for extraordinary and compelling reasons, also sometimes know as "compassionate release" motions. This proposed guideline amendment would substantially expand the grounds for reduction of sentence under 18 USC § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i).

The proposed guideline amendment is a victory for advocates. For a number of years, FAMM and other organizations have urged the United States Sentencing Commission to adopt a policy statement on “compassionate release” motions that recognizes conditions other than the disabling illness or imminent death of the prisoner.

FAMM article