Opinion ID: 612705
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The original jurisdiction of the Parole Commission

Text: The Parole Commission has denominated several categories of cases as appropriate for original jurisdiction, including prisoners serving life sentences, like Bowers. See 28 C.F.R. § 2.17. [5] In this option, the Regional Commissioner sets the case for original jurisdiction pursuant to § 2.17, votes on the case, and refers the case to another Parole Commissioner for further review. See 28 C.F.R. §§ 2.24(b)(1), 2.17(a). The Parole Commission's original jurisdiction decision shall be made on the basis of a majority vote of Commissioners holding office at the time of the decision. 28 C.F.R. § 2.17(a). A prisoner may appeal the original jurisdiction decision, but it shall be submitted as a petition for reconsideration under § 2.27. 28 C.F.R. § 2.26(a)(1). The previous decision made under § 2.17 may be modified or reversed only by a majority vote of the Commissioners holding office at the time of the review of the petition. 28 C.F.R. § 2.27(a). During Bowers' parole proceedings, the Parole Commission also utilized a regulation permitting the reopening of a case. Section 2.28 sets forth six situations in which the Parole Commission can reopen a case; only the sixth situation, the receipt of new and significant adverse information, is relevant here. 28 C.F.R. § 2.28. Upon the receipt of new and significant adverse information, § 2.28(f) permits a Parole Commissioner to refer the case to the National Commissioners with his recommendation and vote to schedule the case for a special reconsideration hearing. 28 C.F.R. § 2.28(f). This referral automatically retard[s] the prisoner's scheduled release date, and the special reconsideration hearing may be scheduled upon the concurrence of two Parole Commissioners. Id.