Opinion ID: 1358035
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: conclusion

Text: Although the BOP is afforded wide discretion in promulgating regulations governing the administration of 18 U.S.C. § 3621(e), it must comply with its obligation under the APA to articulate its rationale for exercising such discretion. The administrative record before us is devoid of any contemporaneous rationale for the BOP's promulgation of a rule categorically excluding inmates with certain prior convictions from early release eligibility. The government's arguments on appeal are impermissible post-hoc rationalizations. We follow the precedent set in Arrington, and reverse the district court's denial of Crickon's habeas corpus petition. We remand for the district court to grant Crickon's petition and instruct the BOP to reconsider Crickon's eligibility for early release under § 3621(e)(2)(B) without regard to his prior conviction for voluntary manslaughter. REVERSED AND REMANDED.