Legis Daily

COVID–19 Safer Detention Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-312| Senate 
| Updated: 6/8/2021
Richard J. Durbin

Richard J. Durbin

Democratic Senator

Illinois

Cosponsors (9)
Thomas Tillis (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Roy Blunt (Republican)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Kevin Cramer (Republican)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Chuck Grassley (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
COVID-19 Safer Detention Act of 2021 This bill expands statutory authority for federal prisoners to be released before completing their sentences or to be placed in the community to serve the final portion of their sentences. First, the bill makes changes to the early release pilot program which authorizes the Bureau of Prisons to release early and place on home confinement elderly offenders and terminally ill offenders who meet eligibility criteria. This bill expands eligibility to offenders serving time for an offense under the laws of the District of Columbia, reduces the amount of time an offender must serve by the good time credits earned by the offender, and creates a judicial review process for prisoners. Second, the bill modifies the compassionate release process which authorizes federal courts to reduce a prisoner's sentence and impose a term of probation or supervised released in certain circumstances. This bill expands eligibility to prisoners sentenced before November 1, 1987; and specifies that vulnerability to COVID-19 is a basis for compassionate release. Regarding the judicial review of these release authorities, the bill also (1) authorizes federal courts to appoint counsel to assist defendants, (2) applies statutory rights for crime victims to these proceedings, and (3) shortens the waiting period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study postrelease, probation, and pretrial services, including recent changes. Finally, the bill directs the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to request resources to address staffing needs in each judicial district, including resources that may be necessary as a result of this bill.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4034
COVID–19 Safer Detention Act of 2020
Feb 12, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Feb 12, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 27, 2021
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jun 8, 2021
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jun 8, 2021
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 68.
Nov 1, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-3669
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4034
    COVID–19 Safer Detention Act of 2020


  • February 12, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 12, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • May 27, 2021
    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • June 8, 2021
    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • June 8, 2021
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 68.


  • November 1, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-3669
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 117-3669: COVID–19 Safer Detention Act of 2021
  • HR 117-929: To provide that the amount of time that an elderly offender must serve before being eligible for placement in home detention is to be reduced by the amount of good time credits earned by the prisoner, and for other purposes.
Administrative remediesAgingCardiovascular and respiratory healthCongressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentCriminal procedure and sentencingDepartment of JusticeDetention of personsEmergency medical services and trauma careGovernment studies and investigationsInfectious and parasitic diseasesJudicial procedure and administrationJudicial review and appealsLawyers and legal servicesLong-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care

COVID–19 Safer Detention Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-312| Senate 
| Updated: 6/8/2021
COVID-19 Safer Detention Act of 2021 This bill expands statutory authority for federal prisoners to be released before completing their sentences or to be placed in the community to serve the final portion of their sentences. First, the bill makes changes to the early release pilot program which authorizes the Bureau of Prisons to release early and place on home confinement elderly offenders and terminally ill offenders who meet eligibility criteria. This bill expands eligibility to offenders serving time for an offense under the laws of the District of Columbia, reduces the amount of time an offender must serve by the good time credits earned by the offender, and creates a judicial review process for prisoners. Second, the bill modifies the compassionate release process which authorizes federal courts to reduce a prisoner's sentence and impose a term of probation or supervised released in certain circumstances. This bill expands eligibility to prisoners sentenced before November 1, 1987; and specifies that vulnerability to COVID-19 is a basis for compassionate release. Regarding the judicial review of these release authorities, the bill also (1) authorizes federal courts to appoint counsel to assist defendants, (2) applies statutory rights for crime victims to these proceedings, and (3) shortens the waiting period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study postrelease, probation, and pretrial services, including recent changes. Finally, the bill directs the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to request resources to address staffing needs in each judicial district, including resources that may be necessary as a result of this bill.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4034
COVID–19 Safer Detention Act of 2020
Feb 12, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Feb 12, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 27, 2021
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jun 8, 2021
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Jun 8, 2021
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 68.
Nov 1, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-3669
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4034
    COVID–19 Safer Detention Act of 2020


  • February 12, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 12, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.


  • May 27, 2021
    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.


  • June 8, 2021
    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.


  • June 8, 2021
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 68.


  • November 1, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-3669
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Richard J. Durbin

Richard J. Durbin

Democratic Senator

Illinois

Cosponsors (9)
Thomas Tillis (Republican)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Roy Blunt (Republican)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Kevin Cramer (Republican)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Chuck Grassley (Republican)

Judiciary Committee

Crime and Law Enforcement

Related Bills

  • HR 117-3669: COVID–19 Safer Detention Act of 2021
  • HR 117-929: To provide that the amount of time that an elderly offender must serve before being eligible for placement in home detention is to be reduced by the amount of good time credits earned by the prisoner, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesAgingCardiovascular and respiratory healthCongressional oversightCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentCriminal procedure and sentencingDepartment of JusticeDetention of personsEmergency medical services and trauma careGovernment studies and investigationsInfectious and parasitic diseasesJudicial procedure and administrationJudicial review and appealsLawyers and legal servicesLong-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care