06-16-2011, 08:20 PM
we all pay a fortune to treat sick and very elderly inmates. yeah, let them out if they are too sick to be a threat.
Three California prisoners received “medical parole” Wednesday including a inmate who has served fewer than four years of a 68-year sentence for a home invasion.
The new law allows the release of medically incapacitated inmates to save the state money. These prisoners have to face “dire” health conditions and can no longer be a threat to their communities.
The inmate Craig Lemke, who tied an elderly couple together after he broke into their home in 2006, is no longer considered a threat to public safety, according to the parole board,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
Under the law, if his condition improves, he would need to return to prison, the Times reported. Prison officials would not comment on the condition of Lemke.
The state, which is struggling financially to support its large prison population, passed the bill in September with the hope of saving the state millions.
The Sacramento Bee reported that Lemke was so ill, he cost taxpayers $750,000 a year and an undetermined amount in medical costs.
Juan Garcia Sandoval, 78, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison, was deemed eligible for release, the Bee reported.
John Joseph Swesey, 72, an inmate at Wasco State Prison serving a 24-year sentence for burglary and making terrorist threats, was also no longer considered a threat to the public, the Bee reported, and was released.
In May, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the state to remove more than 33,000 inmates after the justices ruled easing congestion is the only way to improve unconstitutionally poor inmate medical and mental health care.
Ken Gregory, a lawyer in California, called the California prison overcrowding a complicated issue that requires many changes.
“I think this solves a part of a much bigger problem,” he said.
The board previously denied parole to a paralyzed rapist, the Times reported. The board considered him a threat because he could still speak. Lemke, 48, is the second inmate considered for medical parole.
Three California prisoners received “medical parole” Wednesday including a inmate who has served fewer than four years of a 68-year sentence for a home invasion.
The new law allows the release of medically incapacitated inmates to save the state money. These prisoners have to face “dire” health conditions and can no longer be a threat to their communities.
The inmate Craig Lemke, who tied an elderly couple together after he broke into their home in 2006, is no longer considered a threat to public safety, according to the parole board,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
Under the law, if his condition improves, he would need to return to prison, the Times reported. Prison officials would not comment on the condition of Lemke.
The state, which is struggling financially to support its large prison population, passed the bill in September with the hope of saving the state millions.
The Sacramento Bee reported that Lemke was so ill, he cost taxpayers $750,000 a year and an undetermined amount in medical costs.
Juan Garcia Sandoval, 78, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison, was deemed eligible for release, the Bee reported.
John Joseph Swesey, 72, an inmate at Wasco State Prison serving a 24-year sentence for burglary and making terrorist threats, was also no longer considered a threat to the public, the Bee reported, and was released.
In May, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the state to remove more than 33,000 inmates after the justices ruled easing congestion is the only way to improve unconstitutionally poor inmate medical and mental health care.
Ken Gregory, a lawyer in California, called the California prison overcrowding a complicated issue that requires many changes.
“I think this solves a part of a much bigger problem,” he said.
The board previously denied parole to a paralyzed rapist, the Times reported. The board considered him a threat because he could still speak. Lemke, 48, is the second inmate considered for medical parole.