Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
Governor Signs Bill To Expand Prison Release Program For Terminally Ill And Medically Incapacitated
(
Alborz Kamalizad
/
LAist
)
Topline:
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that expands the state's compassionate release program, which allows for incarcerated people who are dying or "permanently medically incapacitated" to have their sentences recalled. The measure comes after an LAist investigation.
What's new: The measure will allow for more people to be eligible for compassionate release and streamlines the process.
The backstory: The bill, AB 960, initially started as an effort to broaden the state's "medical parole" program, which sends incarcerated people to nursing homes. People in that program are still under state custody. But the bill switched gears after an LAist investigation into the program.
Why now: Our investigation revealed that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation transferred almost all of its medical parole patients from nursing homes across the state to a facility in the San Fernando Valley that lost its federal certification. The bill's author then pivoted to focus on compassionate release, where people would be released from the prison system entirely.
What's next: The law goes into effect in January. Incarcerated people who are found to be eligible for compassionate release will be referred to a court that would make the decision on whether or not to release them.
Go deeper:
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
