Former inmate succeeds in Seventh Circuit parole challenge

Client(s) Edwards, George H., Jr.

On September 16, 2015, the Seventh Circuit ruled that Jones Day's client, former federal inmate George Edwards, was entitled to relief from a harsh parole regime. Mr. Edwards was originally convicted in 1985, and had been subject to a cycle of releases and parole revocations since the end of his initial prison term in 2000. The Parole Commission took the view that Mr. Edwards could be repeatedly released on "special parole," a unique and long-since-repealed form of parole. But, notwithstanding a contrary Second Circuit decision, the Seventh Circuit agreed with Jones Day's position that "special parole," once revoked, could not again be re-imposed. It therefore ordered that Mr. Edwards be granted the habeas relief that he sought.

Edwards v. Cross, No. 14-2205 (7th Cir.)