[Editorial] Compassionate release in the USA

A man has suffered a massive stroke. The right side of his body is paralysed, he cannot speak, and needs total assistance with activities of daily living. The man is serving a life sentence in a US prison for cocaine and heroin distribution. In 2006, he appealed for early release, but was denied because his life expectancy could not be determined. This case is one of many highlighted in a new report by the US Department of Justice, which concludes that compassionate release programmes in the USA are poorly managed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Source: LANCET - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research