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Taxwatch Recommends Parole For Elderly Prisoners
October 8, 2014
Florida’s prison population is rapidly increasing despite declining crime rates, and the latest report from Florida TaxWatch recommends options to prevent increasing costs from overwhelming taxpayers.
The report, Florida’s Aging Prisoner Problem, warns that the steadily growing elderly prison population in state facilities will require more costly medical care, resulting in additional budget concerns for an already struggling Department of Corrections.
“Community safety is the first thing to consider when addressing criminal justice reform, but Florida has options to reduce costs and actually improve public safety.” said Dominic M. Calabro, president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog. “Florida taxpayers and policymakers must understand the rapidly incurring costs that accompany aging prisoners so that smart policies can be pursued that prevent either ballooning costs or quick fixes to jeopardize the safety and security of Florida citizens.”
The analysis estimates that by the end of 2015, Florida will have nearly 4,100 additional prisoners in the elderly population, bringing the total to nearly 25,000. The average health care costs for each of these prisoners are estimated by Florida TaxWatch to be $11,000 annually.
The report suggests the Florida Department of Corrections consider clemency or early release for elderly non-violent offenders who are nearing release dates or are requiring end-of-life care.
“Understanding the future obligations Florida taxpayers will have for the criminal justice system will ensure our policymakers are prepared to budget for corrections costs,” added Calabro
To identify, assess and manage Florida’s elderly prison population, Florida TaxWatch also recommends reporting requirements for elderly prisoners’ health care costs and the projections of elderly prison growth.
Comments
15 Responses to “Taxwatch Recommends Parole For Elderly Prisoners”
I’m mixed on this topic. AND ON ONE HAND THERE IS NO MORE PAROLE IN FLORIDA but with this matter the STATE wants to release the older inmates that are costing the STATE more than they want to pay for their health care and put it in the hands of another agency whether it be SOCIAL SECURITY,MEDICADE or MEDICARE. When a person is convicted and a JUDGE mandates a sentence that is what the inmate must do as to make up for what the crime / crimes committed except for the gain time allotted at the time of the crime and according to how society feels then that is what is expected of the system–not to bail just because the cost of care is cutting into their budget. When the judge passed sentence I’m sure there was no clause in it that would allow the STATE to just arbitrarily get out from under their obligations and responsibilities because of the cost. I say keep the STATES NOSE TO THE GRIND STONE and make them do as the judge ordered at time of sentence.
On the other hand if the inmate still has a family that cares and can assist in their care then it would be OK so they can live the remainder of their life not confined but I think the STATE should have to foot the bills of their care the remainder of their life because many of them got sick from the conditions in which they were exposed to while incarcerated and not cared for properly.
I know while in prison your benefits are cut off and can not receive anything from the GOVERNMENT but you can still get a retirement from a company you worked for. If these inmates were paroled then are they still considered under the STATES control to where SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE or MEDICADE will not become effective–I don’t know and it might be something to think about. The STATE might just have to cut them loose completely to relieve them from all responsibilities then how would the victims feel about the STATES choice.
One really has to doubt the fairness of sentencing for convicted people when there are calls to consider reducing that sentence based upon cost of incarceration. We need to let out ALL non-violent offenders who are in for mere drug use. This will free up plenty of funds for caring for those we need to keep locked away.
Here we go again, now we want to let these inmate out because of there age! To save the State 11,000 $$$ Really ! Okay the plan is put them in Nursing Homes, Bill the state $$ 3,500 a month for that and then Bill Medicare or Medicaid for their Medicine ? Let me see 3,500 x 12 is $ 42,000 a year without the Medicine . Now we see why we are in financial distress, Who are these very smart State employees ? I would love to have your job !!!!
Rufus Lowgun,
“If crime rates are declining, why is the prison population rapidly increasing?”
Crime has lowered not stopped. The courts are convicting people faster than the state is releasing them. In other words…
If your toilet is clogged and you push the flush valve without using the plunger. the toilet will continue to fill with water but nothing will go down. If you continue to hold the flush valve, the water will eventually overflow onto the floor.
How am I doing?
Rufus,
You might have it backwards:
If the prison population is increasing, why is the crime rate declining?
Worded that way suggests that stopping criminals from commiting crimes results in fewer crimes being committed.
Worded that way shouldn’t cause confusion.
And to those who think releasing people near the end of their lives would encourage others to do things which would result in them being in prison until they are old, doddering has-beens —- WHY?
David for rational thinking
Rufus–
Because the corrupt privatized prison system overseen by an at best, ineffective DOC and State Government needs more people in jail to feed their profits.
Making crime profitable to a corporation whose only duty is to make money is a terrible thing to do to a society.
Wonder if they asked any of the victims??
If crime rates are declining, why is the prison population rapidly increasing?
A sentence must stick for it’s full duration to detour crime. Few people leave prison in good mental health. It is a bad idea, because people will start just assuming that they will serve part of their time and then get out.
Boils down to the taxpayer again no matter how you look at it. These are mostly career criminals, non-violent. So that covers a lot of crimes, doesn’t it?
(nice ball and chain picture, by the way)
REGARDING:
“The only thing that releasing them would do is transfer the burden from the state to the federal government.”
True, but we are used to the feds letting people die in their old age. A lower standard of care is expected. (Not that it should be but that it is.)
At least this way the prisons won’t have to decide whether or not to spend a half a million dollars to save an aging inmate or pay more correctional officers.
David for curing old age while we are all still relatively young
Well–if they did pay into the system and have sufficient work history, then they earned those benefits.
Assuming you have worked and paid into the system–will you consider it the “taxpayers” paying for your SS & Medicare when you receive them or the government honoring a commitment made to you?
Well, Just Wondering, aren’t you brilliant. The social security is deducted from the wages of the earner while they worked just for the purpose of taking care of them when they are old. That’s why it’s called social security. It’s not coming out of your pocket; it’s what was put aside out of their pocket while they worked.
When the elderly prisoners are released, they will likely be eligible for Social Security benefits based on their work history prior to incarceration and then they’ll receive Medicare benefits. The only thing that releasing them would do is transfer the burden from the state to the federal government. The “taxpayer” will still be paying for it.