← Legal Glossary
Compassionate release
Definition
A legal mechanism allowing the reduction of a federal prisoner's sentence based on extraordinary and compelling reasons. Originally, only the Bureau of Prisons could file these motions, but the First Step Act of 2018 allowed prisoners to file directly with courts after exhausting BOP remedies.
Examples
- •The First Step Act's section authorizing defendant-filed motions is titled 'Compassionate Release,' though the parties dispute whether that label limits the grounds for relief to personal circumstances.