Former Fairfield and Birmingham mayor Larry Langford is coming home.

A federal judge Friday afternoon reduced Langford’s sentence for corruption to time served. It is unclear when he will be freed from the federal medical center prison in Lexington, KY, where he has been serving his time.

Langford, 72 and in critical health, served eight years and eight months of a 15 -year sentence for bribery and corruption convictions stemming from his time on the Jefferson County Commission. He was convicted in October 2009 of taking about $235,000 in bribes in exchange for giving county sewer bond business to investment banker Bill Blount.

He was not scheduled to be released, until May 2023.

In a release, the family said:

"Mr. Langford has reached a point medically where there is nothing more that can be done for him in the facility. We are all grateful that the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice saw fit to exercise compassion and allow him to return home with his family.

"We are most appreciative of the hard work and collective efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District, the offices of U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell and U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, Alabama state Sen. Bobby Singleton, Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, as well as all those who issued press releases, wrote letters, and said prayers.

"One family member said., 'There have been many prayers and a true outpouring of support by the citizens of Fairfield, Birmingham and the State of Alabama to which we are eternally grateful. But most importantly and in the words of Larry, ‘To God Be the Glory.’”

It is not yet clear when Langford will be transported to Birmingham.

U.S. District Court Judge Scott Coogler, who originally sentenced Langford, granted the reduction in sentence after a request by Hugh J. Hurwitz, Acting Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons through Jay E. Town, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. Langford’s sentence was reduced to time served and once he leaves prison he will begin the 36 months term of supervised release previously imposed, which will include home confinement and possible electronic monitoring.

Coogler also ordered that Langford “shall be released from the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons as soon as his medical condition permits, the release plan is implemented, and travel arrangements can be made.”

“The defendant has been diagnosed with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema, pulmonary hypertension, right heart failure, sickle-cell trait, plantar fascial fibromatosis, bursitis, esophageal reflux with esophagitis, dysphagia secondary to a cricopharyngeal bar and esophageal stenosis, sensorineural hearing loss, pterygium, and anemia. The defendant is considered debilitated under Federal Bureau of Prisons policy and, based upon recent deterioration in his health, his condition is considered by the Bureau of Prisons to be terminal, with a life expectancy of 18 months or less.”

Town, in a statement to AL.com, said that “After reviewing the information provided by the Bureau of Prisons, it was our judgement that compassionate release and reduction of sentence was appropriate under these limited circumstances.’’

Efforts to free Langford by family attorney and Birmingham native Tiffany Johnson Cole, Birmingham attorney Reginald McDaniel and Alabama state representative and attorney Juandalynne Givan and others have been in the works for eight years.

A recent, large effort to free Langford was supported by numerous politicians, including U.S. Rep. Sewell, U.S. Sen. Jones, Alabama Rep. Juandalynne Givan and Birmingham mayor Randall Woodfin.

“As I have said before, justice should be fair, but merciful. I am deeply grateful to all those who heeded our renewed call for the immediate compassionate release of Mayor Larry Langford,” Sewell said in a statement. “I want to thank the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Jay Town, Senator Doug Jones, our federal partners, and all those who worked side-by-side with our office despite the government shutdown to secure Mayor Langford’s release. The holiday season is a reminder of the importance of family, and the commutation of Mayor Langford’s sentence means that our former Mayor can spend his final days at home in Alabama with loved ones. My prayers are with the whole Langford family as they reunite and provide comfort to Mayor Langford in the days and weeks ahead.”

“Family is important, and I know that Mayor Langford’s wife and so many relatives and supporters look forward to reuniting with him in Alabama,’’ said Woodfin. “I have maintained that Mayor Langford was the ideal candidate for compassionate release. I’m glad that federal officials saw fit to grant his immediate release. My prayers are with him and his family.”

Friday’s motion by the Bureau of Prisons is a turnaround from when, in November, the BOP denied Langford a compassionate release/reduction in sentence, despite its finding that he met the criteria for a reduction/release due to his diminished health.

“Mayor Langford,” wrote Ken Hyle, BOP’s assistant director and general counsel, “...has a history of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema. pulmonary hypertension, right-heart failure, sickle-cell trait, plantar fascial fibromatosis, bursitis, esophageal reflux, dysphagia, hypertension, sensorineural hearing loss, pterygium and anemia. He was issued an oxygen concentrator and nebulizer and ambulates with the use of a wheelchair.”

Yet, Langford was denied the release/reduction, Hyle wrote, “Due to the nature and circumstances of Mr. Langford’s offense, his release at this time would minimize the severity of his offense and pose a danger to the safety of the community.”

Since the denial, several politicians lobbied the White House and President Trump in an effort to gain executive clemency for Langford.

Full coverage of Larry Langford

On Wednesday, Woodfin sent a two-page letter to Trump in support of a compassionate release, referring to the First Step Act, a bill recently signed into law by the President that reforms punitive federal sentences.

“Please understand it is not my intention to minimize the serious nature of the underlying conditions. As a former prosecutor, my very core is centered on fair play, integrity and honesty," the mayor wrote. "Still, I believe Mr. Langford—in every way—is the ideal candidate for compassionate release…

“Upon signing of the First Step Act, you said, and I could not agree more, that the {FSA] and its sensible sentencing reform bring ‘much needed hope to families during the holiday season.

“The Langford family is in need of hope today. I humble ask, Mr. President, that you consider providing that hope to them.”

In his application for release/reduction, Langford stated: “I will forever bear the responsibility for my actions, whether I am incarcerated or at home. It is my prayer that after [eight] years and the totality of my circumstances that you will give me a chance.”

A vigil was held Wednesday for Langford in Fairfield and another vigil was already planned for Friday afternoon in downtown Birmingham.

AL.com reporter Carol Robinson contributed to this story