Court Opinion

ID: 9481129
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 08:08:36.630087+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:48:06.707005
License: Public Domain

HILL, Senior Circuit Judge,
specially concurring:
I concur in the judgment of the court.
I write separately to dissociate myself from statements in the majority opinion to the effect that the guidelines do not adequately consider a prisoner’s voluntary return to custody after 96 hours. U.S.S.G. § 2P1.1(b)(2). A conviction for escape and a stiff sentence for that crime seems to be the principal deterrence provided against escapes from minimum-security penal institutions. High walls, barbed wire, watch towers and high-powered rifles provide deterrence at more secure facilities. Reductions in the offense level of escape from prisons without walls must be sparingly given or it becomes necessary that these grounds be encircled with walls, fences and towers. It is to be recognized that one may impulsively “walk away” from an un-walled prison. A reduction in offense level for a return within 96 hours recognizes that such an impulse may not be as culpable as more deliberate escapes. If the impulse does not subside within 96 hours it may be assumed that the walk-away was a deliberate escape.
I agree that the guidelines do not adequately consider the effect of this offense on parole eligibility in a sentence which had been imposed under the pre-guidelines system and I take no issue with Part IIB. Deterrence is a reason and aim of sentencing. The district judge was authorized to measure the need for deterrence. U.S.S.G. § 4A1.3 (Policy Statement). I agree that, ultimately, the degree and direction of the district court’s departure in this case was reasonable.