Opinion
CIVIL 3:23-cv-143
04-13-2023
ROBERT GRANT HALL, Petitioner v. WARDEN BARRAZA, Respondent
MEMORANDUM
Robert D. Mariani, United States District Judge
Petitioner Robert Grant Hall (“Hall”), an inmate confined at the Federal Correctional Institution, Allenwood, in White Deer, Pennsylvania, initiated the above-captioned action by filing a petition for a writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241. (Doc. 1). He asks the Court to apply earned time credits to his sentence pursuant to the First Step Act (“FSA”) even though he is not a minimum or low recidivism risk level. (Id. at pp. 6-10). For the reasons set forth below, the Court will deny the habeas petition.
I. Background
Hall is serving a sixty (60) month term of imprisonment imposed by the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut for conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base. (Doc. 7-1, pp. 5-7). His projected release date is May 27, 2023, via good conduct time. (Id.).
The Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) conducted a First Step Act assessment and found that Hall is eligible for FSA time credits. (Id. at p. 8, FSA Time Credit Assessment). However, the BOP concluded that because Hall has a medium risk of recidivism, the credits cannot be applied until he has earned a low or minimum recidivism risk. (Doc. 7-1, p. 4, ¶ 7; see also 28 C.F.R. § 523.44(c)).
In his § 2241 petition, Hall contends that the BOP failed to apply his earned time credits towards supervised release or a sentence reduction. (Doc. 1). In response, Respondent argues that Hall's § 2241 petition must be denied because he is not eligible for earned time credits at this time. (Doc. 7).
II. Discussion
Under the FSA, the Attorney General was charged with development and release of a Risk and Needs Assessment System (“the System”) within 210 days of December 21, 2018, the date on which the FSA was enacted. See 18 U.S.C. § 3632. The System is to be used for: (1) determining an inmate's recidivism risk; (2) assessing an inmate's risk of violent or serious misconduct; (3) determining the type and amount of evidence-based recidivism reduction programming (“EBRRs”) appropriate for each inmate; (4) periodically assessing an inmate's recidivism risk; (4) reassigning an inmate to appropriate EBRRs and productive activities (“PAs”); (5) determining when to provide incentives and rewards for successful participation in EBRRs and PAs; and (6) determining when the inmate is ready to transfer to pre-release custody or supervised release. See id. § 3632(a). Moreover, tie System provides guidance on the “type, amount, and intensity of EBRR programs and PAs to be assigned to each inmate based on the inmate's specific criminogenic needs.” Kurti v. White, No. 1:19-cv-2109, 2020 WL 2063871, at *4 (M.D. Pa. Apr. 29, 2020) (citing 18 U.S.C. § 3632(b)).
The FSA allows eligible inmates who successfully complete EBRRs or PAs to receive earned time credits to be applied toward time in pre-release custody or supervised release. See 18 U.S.C. § 3632(d)(4)(A). An inmate may earn ten (10) days of credit for every thirty (30) days of successful participation. See id. Moreover, eligible inmates who have been assessed at a minimum or low risk of recidivism who do not increase their risk of recidivism over two (2) consecutive assessments may earn an additional five (5) days of time credit for every thirty (30) days of successful participation. See id.
Section 3624(g) sets forth the process for how FSA time credits are applied to create an earlier release date for eligible prisoners. Section 3624(g) requires, for placement in prerelease custody, that the prisoner “has been determined under the System to be a minimum or low risk to recidivate pursuant to the last 2 reassessments of the prisoner” or has specific approval by the warden. 18 U.S.C. § 3624(g)(1)(D)(i). For early transfer to supervised release, § 3624(g) requires that the inmate "has been determined under the System to be a minimum or low risk to recidivate pursuant to the last reassessment of the prisoner.” Id. § 3624(g)(1)(D)(ii). The clear language of 18 U.S.C. § 3624(g) precludes application of time credits until Hall has lowered his recidivism risk level.
Respondent submitted the Declaration of Jennifer Knepper, BOP Supervisory Attorney, wherein she explains that inmates who are eligible for FSA time credits can accrue credits, but they cannot be applied until the inmate has earned a low or minimum recidivism risk. (Doc. 7-1, p. 4 ¶ 7; see also 28 C.F.R. § 523.44). Hall is eligible to earn FSA time credits. Although Hall may be eligible to earn time credits, those credits cannot be applied until he has “shown through the periodic risk reassessments a demonstrated recidivism risk reduction or has maintained a minimum or low recidivism risk, during the prisoner's term of imprisonment.” 18 U.S.C. § 3624(g)(1)(B). Hall's current recidivism risk level is medium. (Doc. 7-1, p. 8). Hall will not be eligible for application of FSA time credits until, among other requirements, his risk level is reduced to minimum or low. Thus, the Court must deny Hall's habeas petition.
III. Conclusion
Based on the foregoing, the Court will deny the petition for writ of habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241. (Doc. 1). A separate Order shall issue.