April 14, 2010

California Senate Bill 1399: to Permit Parole for Physically or Cognitively Debilitated or Incapacitated Inmates

California legislators are considering a proposal to reduce prison populations and reduce prison health care costs by creating medical parole for comatose, severely incapacitated, or severely ill prisoners. The proposal, SB 1399, was introduced March 17, 2010 by California Senator Mark Leno of San Francisco. If adopted, medical parole could help the state reduce its prison health care spending because the paroled prisoners would be eligible to enroll in Medicaid, which receives federal funding. The state would also be able to eliminate 24-hour guard costs for prisoners in long-term care facilities. SB 1399 would apply to inmates who are unable to function on their own such as those with end-stage Alzheimer's disease, those who are comatose, or those who are bedridden for other reasons.