It Is Expensive And Inhumane To Keep Those Nearing The End Of Their Lives Behind Bars
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kirsten Bokenkamp, Senior Communications Strategist, ACLU Foundation of Texas
(713) 942-8146 x 109 or (832) 691-7013; [email protected]
AUSTIN –ACLU of Texas Policy Strategist Matt Simpson today asked the Sunset Advisory Commission to identify ways to increase parole for inmates who, because of their ailing health, no longer pose a threat to society.
Simpson explained that inmates in need of long-term or geriatric medical care require expensive treatment and medication at a significant cost to TDCJ and that many of these inmates could be released on parole without compromising public safety. “It doesn’t make any sense to keep seriously infirmed and dying offenders behind bars,” Simpson said. “The costs to the state are exorbitant, and with recidivism rates among this population so low, parole is a less-expensive, safe, and more humane alternative.” Those released early would continue to receive medical care, just no longer in a prison setting.
TDCJ’s current Medically Recommended Intensive Supervision (MRIS) program is designed to allow for the early release of eligible offenders. The ACLU of Texas is advocating the Board of Pardons and Parole to update the MRIS assessment tool to allow a greater number of eligible applicants to be accepted into the program because the current criteria has resulted in many applicants being denied. Furthermore, a number of applicants have also died while waiting for their MRIS application to be processed. “The Sunset Commission should review the process to determine the reasons why so few cases are approved and identify ways to increase the approval rate,” Simpson said. “The process should also be modified so that once a case is referred for MRIS, it is expedited for review as soon as possible. This would allow those near the end of their lives to spend their last days among loved ones and would save taxpayers millions of dollars.”
