There is a growing issue of inmates who have been in prison for years and who have a hard time taking care of themselves due to age and health declination. Just a few weeks ago, the Sun Chronicle editorial team released a letter from a Massachusetts citizen. The message includes certain ideas on a compassionate release program for older inmates.

Michael Frantz, a nationally known federal and state prison consultant applauds Harley Farrell and offers these comments. “ The Compassionate Release Program is being underutilized by both federal and state prisons! Prison Wardens are denying Compassionate Release applications out of hand without giving them due process. Now the First Step Act, signed by President Trump in December of 2018, allows families and inmates to file through the Court System these denied or discarded Compassionate Release Submissions and give them new life. We have filed several and won them for the inmate and his/her family!”

Letter to the Editor:

“Massachusetts has one of the oldest prison populations in the country; however, we are one of only five states that have not implemented a compassionate release program for this ever-growing population.

“The way prisons are designed, they typically do not accommodate those who need wheelchair assistance. Some prisoners are unable to feed themselves, bathe themselves, or even dress themselves. It would be most reasonable to put these inmates in facilities such as those that can care and provide for the specific needs of the terminally ill. It has been shown that the amount of death behind bars is expected to rise with the aging prison population.

“Forgetting the idea of terminally ill patients, housing someone 50 or over in a correctional facility costs nearly two times as much as it does to house a younger individual. Community-based health care systems that care for those with terminal illnesses are typically more cost-efficient and suitable than prisons. Implementing such programs could potentially save Massachusetts taxpayers, as well as the state itself, millions of dollars.

“These inmates no longer carry the capacity to engage in criminal behavior or put society at risk. Those who are released are viewed by the board as no longer a threat to society. Evidence shows that incarcerating many elderly people yields minimal benefits for public safety. For federal prisons, 41% of inmates released are rearrested within three years of their release. However, when it comes to the 142 inmates released due to compassionate issues, only 3.5% re-offended within three years of their release. Consultant Frantz states, “More and more inmates are dying behind bars due to the unduly slow process the Bureau of Prisons uses in assessing these inmates. Many times inmates succumb to their illness and die while being assessed for Compassionate Release. The First Step Act was designed to help prevent this from happening.” Call Jail Time Consulting at 954-740-2253 for information.

“In conclusion, I urge you to review bills considering compassionate release programs within Massachusetts, as I strongly believe that our state could benefit greatly from them.”

– Harley Farrell

Get the Compassionate Release Help You Need

Because we understand how hard it is to have a loved one who has been in prison for a long time, we’re here to help. Our professionals help them get a second chance to live life to the fullest. Contact Jail Time Consulting, your top federal and state prison consulting agency, to see how we can help now!

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