Fernandez v. United States · ¶40

Other features of the statute point in the same direction. The name for § 3582(c)(1)(A)—“Compassionate Release”— highlights its focus on granting mercy rather than righting legal wrongs. First Step Act of 2018, § 603(b), 132 Stat. 5239 (heading). In keeping with the theme of “compassion,” Congress in § 3582 gives special protection to defendants with a “terminal illness.” § 3582(d). For instance, the Director of the Bureau of Prisons must notify terminally ill prisoners of their right to seek compassionate release, §§ 3582(d)(2)(A)(i), (B)(i); must sometimes assist in preparing those compassionate release requests, §§ 3582(d)(2)(A)(iii), (B)(iii); and must report to Congress “the number of prisoners who died while their request was pending,” § 3582(d)(3)(H). In addition, the statute expressly identifes one situation in which a sentencing reduction is warranted: when “the defendant is at…

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