Hipolito Rivera-ramirez, Petitioner-appellant, v. United States Parole Board, Respondent-appellee, 21 F.3d 1115 (9th Cir. 1994)

MEMORANDUM^** 

Hipolito Rivera-Ramirez, a federal prisoner, appeals pro se the district court's denial of his 28 U.S.C. § 2241 petition for a writ of habeas corpus, challenging the United States Parole Commission's (Commission) decision to continue Rivera-Ramirez's incarceration until the expiration of his sentence. Rivera-Ramirez was convicted of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a) (1), and sentenced to 30 years imprisonment. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We affirm.¹ 

Rivera-Ramirez contends that the information in the presentence report characterizing him as a "leader" in a large-scale cocaine operation was erroneous, and that the Commission should not have relied on this information. This contention lacks merit.

Our review of parole decisions is limited to determining whether the Commission "has acted outside its statutory authority or has committed a constitutional violation, but we may not review any decision involving the 'exercise of judgment among a range of possible choices or options.' " Vargas v. United States Parole Comm'n, 865 F.2d 191, 193 (9th Cir. 1988) (quoting Wallace v. Christensen, 802 F.2d. 1539, 1552 (9th Cir. 1982) (en banc)). Within this unreviewable area are those judgments integral to individual parole decisions, including the nature and circumstances of the offense. Roberts v. Carrothers, 812 F.2d 1173, 1176 (9th Cir. 1987). Moreover, this court lacks jurisdiction to review the reliability of the sources of information in the presentence report. Walker v. United States, 816 F.2d 1313, 1317 (9th Cir. 1987). The requirements of due process are satisfied if the prisoner is apprised of the information upon which the Commission may rely in setting a parole date and has an opportunity to challenge such information. Roberts, 812 F.2d at 1179.

Here, the Commission's decision to rely on information in the presentence report was within its statutory authority. See Walker, 816 F.2d at 1317 (the presentence report may serve as a basis for the Commission's decision); Roberts, 812 F.2d at 1179-80 (the evaluation of evidence properly before the Commission is left almost entirely to its discretion); 18 U.S.C. 4207(3) (Commission shall consider the presentence report if it is available and relevant). Moreover, Rivera-Ramirez had notice that the Commission would consider the presentence report, and an opportunity at his parole hearing and in an administrative appeal to challenge the allegedly false information. See Roberts, 812 F.2d at 1179.

Here, the parole Commission, relying on the presentence report, determined that Rivera-Ramirez was a leader in a large-scale drug operation. We lack jurisdiction to review the reliability of the sources of information in the presentence report. See Walker, 816 F.2d at 1317.

Rivera-Ramirez also contends that he was denied equal protection because of the disparity in the release dates between himself and his codefendants. This contention lacks merit.

"The parole inquiry into offense severity ... focuses on the 'actual offense behavior' of the individual prisoner." Roberts, 812 F.2d at 1180. The Commission is not limited to evidence adduced at trial in determining an individual severity rating or rendering a presumptive parole release date. Id.; see also 28 C.F.R. Sec. 2.19. The Commission's decision to continue Rivera-Ramirez's incarceration until the expiration of his sentence was based on his leadership role in the conspiracy. Thus, any disparity in release dates is based on Rivera-Ramirez's own behavior and is within the Commission's discretion. See Roberts, 812 F.2d at 1180. Accordingly, the district court did not err in denying Rivera-Ramirez's petition for a writ of habeas corpus.² 

AFFIRMED.