State to begin releasing ailing prisoners
MONTGOMERY — Alabama corrections officials will begin releasing sick or dying prison inmates next month in order to save millions in taxpayer dollars.
Prison commissioner Richard Allen said each of the inmates costs the state $60,000 to $65,000 in medical costs. He said about 125 of them will be eligible for the furloughs that will begin on Sept. 1.
But victims rights advocates say the program is too broad and fear it will lead to dangerous criminals getting back on the streets.
"This bill is so vague and broad, it's scary," said Miriam Shehane, who founded Victims of Crime and Leniency in 1982 after her daughter was abducted, raped and killed in 1976. "There needs to be more controls in place."
Only prisoners who are 55 and older with life-threatening illnesses are eligible for the program. Allen said no inmates convicted of capital crimes can take part, nor most of those convicted of sex crimes.
