28 CFR 2.2 – Eligibility for parole; adult sentences
(a) A Federal prisoner serving a maximum term or terms of more than one year imposed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4205 (a) (or pursuant to former 18 U.S.C. § 4202) may be released on parole in the discretion of the Commission after completion of one-third of such term or terms, or after completion of ten years of a life sentence or of a sentence of over thirty years.
(b) A Federal prisoner serving a maximum term or terms of more than one year imposed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4205(b)(1) (or pursuant to former 18 U.S.C. § 4208(a)(1)) may be released on parole in the discretion of the Commission after completion of the court-designated minimum term, which may be less than but not more than one-third of the maximum sentence imposed.
(c) A Federal prisoner serving a maximum term or terms of more than one year imposed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4205(b)(2) (or pursuant to former 18 U.S.C. § 4208(a)(2)) may be released on parole at any time in the discretion of the Commission.
(d) If the Court has imposed a maximum term or terms of more than one year pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 924(a) or 26 U.S.C. § 5871 [violation of Federal gun control laws], a Federal prisoner serving such term or terms may be released in the discretion of the Commission as if sentenced pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4205(b)(2). However, if the prisoner’s offense was committed on or after October 12, 1984, and the Court imposes a term or terms under 26 U.S.C. § 5871, the prisoner is eligible for parole only after service of one-third of such term or terms, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4205(a).
(e) A Federal prisoner serving a maximum term or terms of one year or less is not eligible for parole consideration by the Commission.