Rutherford v. United States · ¶45

Petitioners skip a step. Before determining the extent of a reduction based on the § 3553(a) factors, a court must first ensure that a movant is part of the “limited class of prisoners” who are “eligibl[e]” for such a reduction. Dillon v. United States, 560 U. S. 817, 825, 827 (2010). And whether a prisoner is eligible depends on whether he can offer “extraordinary and compelling” reasons that “warrant” compassionate release, not on the § 3553(a) factors. § 3582(c)(1) (A)(i); see id., at 827. This gatekeeping requirement is not, as petitioners seem to believe, a free-for-all. It is a distinct analytical step that imposes independent and ascertainable limits on access to compassionate release.

preliminary print (page proof)
Source edition
Passage preview. Read in context for the complete text, notes and references.