Opinion ID: 2617028
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Imminent Release From Community Alternatives of Casper

Text: The second reason the district court gave for deviating from the presumptive amount was that, because the father's release from Community Alternatives of Casper was imminent, his earning ability would soon increase. The statute relating to transferring an inmate to Community Alternatives of Casper provides in part: (a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, and upon recommendation of the warden or superintendent of the institution, the department may transfer an adult inmate to a residential community correctional facility. (b) A transfer of an inmate to a residential community correctional facility under this section may be made only if: ... (iii) The inmate is within at least nine (9) months of his parole eligibility date and his conduct during his confinement has been such that he will likely be released on parole within nine (9) months[.] WYO. STAT. § 7-18-109 (1997). The district court misinterpreted this statute when it found that, because the father had been at Community Alternatives of Casper for nine months, his release was imminent. The statute requires an inmate to be within at least nine months of his parole eligibility date, which does not necessarily translate to being within nine months of his release. Because the record did not contain other evidence to support the district court's finding that the father's release was imminent, we conclude that the district court improperly relied upon this factor in deviating from the presumptive child support.