Inmate Medical Parole Plan Progressing Slowly in State
On Jan. 1, a new state law took effect that allows a state prison medical director to recommend for parole permanently medically incapacitated inmates. Advocates of the law argue that paroled inmates would save the state money because they likely would qualify for programs such as Social Security or Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, which are funded in part by the federal government. Opponents of the law contend that such inmates should not be permitted to evade their sentences, no matter the cost savings.
- "Potential Medical Parole Cases Fuel Debate" (Lagos, San Francisco Chronicle, 5/15).