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Medical and Geriatric Parole Bill Back in Senate Spotlight

A long-standing bill aimed at expanding parole options for elderly and seriously ill inmates in Maryland is once again before the state Senate, sparking intense debate over issues of justice, fairness, and public safety.

Balancing Justice and Humanity

On Tuesday, Sen. Shelly Hettleman (D-Baltimore County) presented her bill, Senate Bill 181, to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee for the fourth consecutive year. The bill seeks to expand opportunities for medical and geriatric parole for incarcerated individuals who are elderly or suffering from debilitating medical conditions. Hettleman emphasized that the bill was “not a get-out-of-jail-free card” but rather a way to ensure fairness in the justice system.

Hettleman’s proposal would allow those incarcerated for at least 15 years who are 60 years old or older, and not registered as sex offenders, to apply for parole. Additionally, inmates who are “chronically debilitated or incapacitated” or have a terminal illness would be eligible for medical parole. These individuals would only be granted parole if deemed appropriate by medical professionals.

“The bill is about fairness,” Hettleman explained. “It’s about balancing public safety with humanity and making sure that those who are too ill or old to commit crimes are not needlessly kept in prison.”

The bill aims to provide a compassionate option for those who are at the end of their lives or struggling with severe health conditions, allowing them to seek parole after serving a significant portion of their sentences. The changes are intended for those whose crimes were serious enough to warrant lengthy sentences but who, in their advanced age or with debilitating conditions, pose no significant threat to public safety.

Senator Shelly Hettleman Maryland

Opposition from Crime Victims Advocates

While Hettleman’s bill has garnered support from groups like the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and even Attorney General Anthony Brown (D), the proposal is facing stiff opposition from crime victims’ advocates. One such critic is Joanna Mupanduki, deputy director of the Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center. She argued that the bill could reopen old wounds for the families of crime victims, forcing them to relive the pain and trauma every time an inmate is considered for parole.

“This bill would retraumatize victims and their families,” Mupanduki testified during the Senate hearing. “Each time an inmate comes up for parole, it forces the victims to relive the worst moments of their lives. There are some crimes where life sentences should mean life sentences.”

Mupanduki’s concern speaks to the emotional toll that parole hearings can have on victims’ families. The prospect of an inmate being granted parole, especially after many years behind bars, can stir deep emotions and bring up painful memories for those who have lost loved ones to violent crime. Mupanduki believes that certain offenses, particularly those involving the loss of innocent life, should result in much longer sentences—if not a lifetime in prison.

Eligibility and Procedures for Medical and Geriatric Parole

Under Senate Bill 181, only inmates who are not registered as sex offenders and who have served at least 15 years of their sentence would be eligible to apply for medical or geriatric parole. If approved, they could seek parole every two years. Those considered for parole would need to show evidence of significant medical deterioration or be suffering from a condition with a clear end-of-life trajectory, such as advanced dementia or a severe cognitive disability.

The bill’s aim is not to give an automatic pass to elderly or ailing inmates but to create a framework that allows the Parole Commission to make informed decisions about whether an individual, in their current physical or mental state, poses a risk to public safety.

Currently, the Maryland Parole Commission has the discretion to grant parole based on factors such as the circumstances of the original crime, the inmate’s progress in prison, and their physical and mental condition. Hettleman’s bill would provide an additional avenue for parole consideration, focusing specifically on age and health issues, rather than solely on behavior and rehabilitation.

The Debate Continues

As Senate Bill 181 makes its way through the legislative process, the debate surrounding medical and geriatric parole is expected to intensify. Supporters argue that it is a humane way to deal with elderly and terminally ill prisoners who no longer pose a threat, while opponents contend that it undermines the principle of justice, particularly for victims’ families who may feel the pain of the crime reopening every time a parole hearing occurs.

The future of the bill remains uncertain, but it has already sparked a vital discussion about the intersection of compassion, justice, and public safety. Whether it will pass the Senate panel or face another roadblock in its journey is yet to be seen, but for now, it’s clear that the issue of parole for aging and sick inmates is a topic that will continue to provoke strong feelings on both sides.

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