Daily News | Broken ‘compassionate release’ rules strand Pa.’s sickest prisoners as costs to taxpayers soar
Even three decades into a life sentence in Pennsylvania state prisons, Raymond Caliman had always been sharp-minded. He wrote letters to the Department of Corrections in exacting cursive with colored emphasis added where he wanted his legal argument to stand out.His academic script devolved into a sideways scrawl. He began losing weight and complained of dull constant pain that worsened when he walked. His sister, Mary Buffaloe, noticed his words slurring through the phone.
There are few ways for people getting older behind bars to get out unless their death is imminent. Under state law, there are no parole opportunities for people serving life, even if they’re decades removed from the crime, sick, and determined to no longer be a danger to the public. The Department of Corrections spent $59,598 on average to house a person last fiscal year, according to department data. But the cost to taxpayers can skyrocket to more than $100,000 for an incarcerated person who needs regular medical attention.
Spotlight PA spoke with 28 people serving life sentences to understand the experience of growing old behind bars. Many discussed remorse for the grave act that put them there, and detailed repeated and unsuccessful attempts at freedom, and a range of serious medical ailments. The process, established in 2009, allows older and sick people to transfer from prison to a hospital or long-term care facility if they have less than a year to live, or a hospice facility if they are terminally ill and unable to walk. The narrow criteria mean the process is rarely used, and the few petitions that have been filed are not always successful.
Rodriguez finally left state prison in August 2017. He died in his sister’s home less than two days later. A separate geriatric provision would apply to anyone age 55 and older who has served the lesser of 25 years or half their sentence, providing a mechanism for those serving life sentences to apply for release.
People leaving prison with complicated mental and physical health needs can be extremely difficult to place, Department of Corrections Secretary George Little said during a recent budget hearing. In some cases, care facilities turned down the department dozens of times before corrections staff could find a place that would take someone, he said.
But many people serving life in Pennsylvania didn’t qualify for release because they were outside the under-18 age limit — some by just a year — when they committed a crime. They remain behind bars, waiting to see if change will happen in their lifetime.
Compounding Pennsylvania’s large population of people serving life is a rule mandating that sentence for everyone convicted of a crime that results in a death, even if they did not directly commit the murder. “Yes, I needed to come to prison. I was a lawless person, but killer no,” Mathis said. “I really, really feel I wish I could take that day back. I do have to live with that. I didn’t kill, but I was part of it and a person lost his life.”Baker, the Luzerne County senator, said she’s working with the corrections and human services departments during the current budget cycle to find funding for the pilot program that would provide people leaving prison with adequate support.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
watchOS 8.5 may have broken fast charging on the Apple Watch Series 7It may even affect Apple’s own charger.
Read more »
Q: “Will Explaining ADHD to My Child Make Her Feel ‘Broken?’”“Knowledge is power, so tell your child everything about her ADHD diagnosis. Giving your daughter the specific language to explain how her brain operates will allow her to feel safe and empowered.”
Read more »
Julia Fox Goes For Full-Length Leather—and a ‘Human Hair’ Clutch—at the Oscars After-PartyWhen it comes to Julia Fox's Oscars after-party look, red carpet rules are made to be broken.
Read more »
EXCLUSIVE: FBI audit reveals agents broke rules to break the lawThe FBI sometimes allows its employees and informants to break the law to catch criminals, but an internal 2018 FBI audit obtained by The Washington Times showed government employees and confidential sources broke rules along the way.
Read more »
Local election offices worry about preparing for primary as redistricting battle continuesFear of mistakes, missed vacations and soaring overtime costs have election leaders worrying about a growing backlog of work at their local election offices as redistricting battles continue in Columbus.
Read more »
Central Pa. deputy who shot at wanted man was justified, DA rulesNo injuries were reported in the shooting but the man who was the target of the arrest warrant is still on the run, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Read more »