Compassionate law.....

Compassionate release is a separate state law that ends prison sentences for inmates who are permanently incapacitated or who are projected to have less than 6 mos. to live. I'm not sure letting someone out who is pissed off with less than 6 mos. to live is such a good idea.

Side note: PanAm flight 103
Though the flight held passengers from 21 countries, the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 hit the United States especially hard. Not only because 179 of the 259 people on board were Americans, but because the bombing shattered America's sense of safety and security. Americans in general felt trodden upon by the unknown danger of terrorism.
On January 31, 2001, Megrahi was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment.  This person has been alive and dying for years since he was released on "humanitarian reasons" after being convicted of mass murder.   On August 20, 2009, the UK gave Megrahi, who suffers from terminal prostate cancer, a compassionate release from prison so that he could go back to Libya to die amongst his family.  He is a hero in is country.  I can't even tell you HOW many times I have seen MDs try to tell a patient how long they have to live, only to be WRONG. 

See....I had way too much time on my hands at the beach reading the newspaper.....
The first California inmate up for parole with the new compassionate state law was denied. A 42 yr old rapist and kidnapper was up for medical parole because of a fight in prison which led to other inmates severing his spine leaving him a quadriplegic. His medical care costs taxpayers some $625,000 a year. Plus, ......now get this.....he sued the state for getting a pressure sore for $750,000 in damages. And, WON! Such nonsense!

Once paroled, the state doesn't have the monetary responsibility. It falls into the hands of the Federal government. Plus, the state doesn't have to pay guards to watch over incapacitated inmates requiring care outside of the prison facility. 40 nurses wrote the parole board saying that this quad has threatened their lives. He has told them since he is incapable of harming them, he will have others do it for him.

Here's what I think. Put him back into the regular prison system and let them finish the job. The state has a 10 billion dollar budget deficit. They are trying to lower it's prison population by about 33,000 inmates to reduce crowding. Prison doctors have identified some 40 other inmates that could come up for medical parole. This would save them about 5 million annually for their outside care and 5 million to guard them.

While I'm ranting a bit on stupid things, I'd like to mention something about the inmates that come into my hospital. Some 8 years ago one of the inmates escaped under the watchful eye (NOT) of a policeman on duty. This is tricky to do when you are handcuffed to the bed. On occasion they have to uncuff them for procedures and accompany them. After that incident, the state now pays for TWO police officers to guard one patient cuffed to the hospital bed. They sit there ordering outside pizzas and playing on their lap tops. Some don't even clean up after themselves. Some need to be asked to move when I need to assess the patient. Most are being paid double time. Honestly, how stupid is that? If one cop with a gun can't watch one inmate handcuffed to the bed......unbelievable.