Two years after his release, Patrick Dewayne Smith lives in rural Tennessee, works two jobs, and attends his local church each Sunday. He is now facing the prospect of returning to prison after the Supreme Court ruled that the First Step Act cannot be used to obtain compassionate release for people sentenced under older, harsher statutes.
Supreme Court decision overturns compassionate‑release hopes
The Court’s 6‑3 decision, issued in May, held that sentencing disparities from decades past do not constitute the “extraordinary and compelling” reasons required for early release. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote for the conservative majority, emphasizing Congress’s deliberate choice not to extend reduced penalties to those already serving long terms.
President Trump, who signed the First Step Act into law in 2018, remains proud of the legislation. A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the administration is closely monitoring the ruling and will continue to advocate for policies that give former inmates a genuine second chance.
First Step Act’s impact and the administration’s view
The First Step Act was the most significant overhaul of federal sentencing in a generation, reducing mandatory minimums for many non‑violent drug offenses. President Trump said the law would “make our communities safer and give former inmates a second chance at life after they have served their time.” The law has already led to thousands of releases, allowing individuals to rebuild families, find employment, and serve their churches.
Advocates such as Shanna Rifkin, general counsel for the sentencing‑reform group FAMM (formerly Families Against Mandatory Minimums), argue that the Court’s ruling jeopardizes the very purpose of the Act. “They’re doing everything that they should be doing – reestablishing relationships, volunteering, working,” Rifkin said. “Having them reincarcerated is so unjust given that they have demonstrated their rehabilitation.”
Legal background and the case against Smith
Smith was sentenced to life in prison after a 2010 drug‑conspiracy conviction that combined a prior record with a new offense. A federal judge released him in 2024 under the First Step Act’s compassionate‑release provisions, noting that the punishment seemed disproportionate. After his release, Smith moved back to Alabama, lives with his sister, and has been active in his church community.
Prosecutors recently challenged his release, arguing that even under current law he would face a mandatory‑minimum term of 25 years. A Justice Department official, speaking anonymously, said the case “means his release is no longer valid” and that the department cannot agree to a sentence below what the law requires.
Broader implications for criminal‑justice reform
Legal scholar Daniel Harawa of New York University warned that the decision could set back federal criminal‑justice reform efforts. “I worry a lot about what this means for federal criminal justice reform,” he said.
While the ruling affects only about a dozen individuals nationwide, advocates fear it signals a broader retreat from the compassionate‑release goals of the First Step Act. The administration’s response, however, remains optimistic that future legislative action could restore the intended flexibility for judges.
What’s next for Smith and others?
Without a presidential pardon, Smith and the other affected individuals face the possibility of returning to prison for the remainder of their sentences. Their families, many of whom are active in local churches, describe the prospect as “a bitter pill.” Smith’s father, James Smith, expressed frustration, saying, “When you get rapists and murderers and you get this guy on a non‑violent case and you want him for life, it doesn’t sit well with me.”
The case underscores the ongoing tension between federal sentencing reform and judicial interpretation, a debate that will likely continue to shape policy discussions in Washington and among faith‑based communities across the country.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
