October Term 2000 · Docket 99-7504
Can prison officials deny good-time credits based on internal rules?
A federal inmate challenges a Bureau of Prisons rule that limits credit for good behavior.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
the side that brought the case argued the case originated in South Dakota.
the opposing side argued the agency acted within its discretion.
The Chief Justice asked if discretion appeared in the regulation.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 9-11
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The Bureau of Prisons controls how inmates earn time off for good behavior. This agency sets its own rules for granting these credits. The inmate argues these rules violate federal law. The agency claims its rules follow the statute.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 30, 2000.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
The inmate wants the court to strike down the agency rule.
The agency wants the court to keep the rule in place.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
What each side says
The inmate argues the statute limits agency discretion.
The agency argues the statute allows broad discretion.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
What the justices asked
Did the agency exercise discretion properly under the law?
Does the regulation reflect the statutory intent?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 9-11
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of prison administrative power. It affects how inmates calculate release dates. It clarifies the balance between agency rules and statutory rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 9-11
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 23, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-31 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-31
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.