The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals recently upheld the denial of a request by Moisés Rivera Sánchez for a family visit privilege while he serves an 82-year sentence for violent crimes. The court's decision, issued on September 1, 2026, confirmed that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) appropriately evaluated Rivera Sánchez's request based on various factors, including the nature of his crimes and his behavior while incarcerated.

This ruling affects Rivera Sánchez, who has been in custody since 2014, and sets a precedent for how the DCR evaluates similar requests for privileges among inmates. The court's decision emphasizes the importance of individual assessments in determining eligibility for family visits.

Background

Moisés Rivera Sánchez has been incarcerated since May 20, 2014, serving a lengthy sentence for multiple serious offenses, including first-degree murder, which was later reclassified to second-degree murder, and firearm possession. Initially classified as maximum custody due to the severity of his crimes, Rivera Sánchez's status was later changed to medium custody after he successfully completed various rehabilitation programs.

On March 12, 2026, Rivera Sánchez was considered for a family visit privilege without custody following a change in the DCR's regulations. This change allowed inmates in certain classifications to apply for family visits as part of their rehabilitation process. However, on June 10, 2026, the DCR denied his request, citing the violent nature of his crimes and his past disciplinary issues as reasons for the denial.

The Ruling

The court ruled that the DCR acted within its rights when it denied Rivera Sánchez's request for a family visit privilege. The judges emphasized that the decision was based on a comprehensive evaluation of Rivera Sánchez's history, including the nature of his offenses and his behavior in prison. The court stated, "the determination does not stem from a single factor, nor does it appear that the DCR has treated any of the elements considered as an absolute or determining criterion for denying the requested benefit."

The ruling was made by a panel of judges, including Judge Rivera Torres, who noted that the DCR's evaluation process was thorough and aligned with the regulatory guidelines. The court confirmed that the DCR had taken into account various factors, including Rivera Sánchez's time served, his conduct while incarcerated, and the opinions of victims and community members.

Impact

This ruling has significant implications for inmates seeking similar privileges in Puerto Rico. It reinforces the DCR's discretion in evaluating requests for family visits and underscores the importance of considering an inmate's complete history, including their criminal background and behavior while incarcerated. The court's decision suggests that inmates with violent histories may face more challenges in obtaining privileges, even if they demonstrate good behavior in prison.

The ruling also serves as a reminder of the DCR's responsibility to ensure that decisions regarding inmate privileges are made based on a comprehensive assessment of all relevant factors. This may discourage future requests from inmates with serious offenses, as the court has affirmed that the nature of the crime can heavily influence the outcome of such requests.

What's Next

As of now, it is unclear whether Rivera Sánchez will appeal this decision. The court filing did not indicate any pending related cases. However, the ruling sets a clear standard for how the DCR may handle similar requests in the future, potentially affecting many inmates in Puerto Rico.