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| Chronicle Pho |
Should TDCJ set them free ???
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By RENÉE C. LEE
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
A growing population of elderly inmates is driving up prison medical care costs to the point that some Texas lawmakers would like to see more of those who are feeble and chronically ill released early.
In the last decade, the number of inmates 55 and older has spiked as much as 8 percent each year, growing to about 12,500, while the general inmate population has remained fairly flat.
In prisons across the country, inmates grow old serving longer sentences and enter prison at an older age. Between 1999 and 2008, the number of inmates 55 and older in state and federal prisons increased by 76 percent to 76,400 inmates, according to the Federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. The general population grew by 18 percent.
This is where I say if they have a life threating disease or illness release them early if they are none violent offenders. This will save the state some money.
ReplyDeleteA lot of these older men are sex offenders. That is what we are seeing around my unit. Most of the murderers/violent criminals who have done 20 and 30 are starting to get paroled out.
ReplyDeleteI agree that most older inmates are sex offenders and they will do it again no matter how old they are.As a matter of fact,a 71 year old inmate got released in my city and within 3 months he had sexualy molested a 4 year old girl.I don't know the answer but it does seem like most of these guys don't want to work a real job and live a regular life.I think jail is easy for a lot of them.
ReplyDeleteI feel so badly about the look on that old mans's face. If the State would just leave him out in the free world, he would expire from natural causes. Why not release them to live in San Leon, LaMarque, Texas City, Dickinson, Hitchcock, Santa Fe or Alvin? Surgically install chips that will make them easy to track. Put a dead or alive bounty for them when they fail to report. Their interests won't be that much different than the current population and the ready availability of methamphetamines will put them out of their misery quickly. Having them all in one geographic area will cut down on the parole division's mileage claims.
ReplyDeleteI know they committed sin but they deserve a second chance. Medical assistance shouldn't take away from them.
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