Maryland lawmakers push to reform medical and elder parole for aging inmates

During a recent session of the Maryland General Assembly's Judicial Proceedings Committee, lawmakers discussed significant reforms to medical and elder parole systems in the state. The proposed legislation aims to address the unique needs of older and sick incarcerated individuals, highlighting the inadequacies of current facilities and personnel in providing necessary medical care.

The bill, which is a response to findings from the Justice Policy Institute, reveals that Maryland spends tens of thousands of dollars annually on healthcare for aging prisoners. Testimonies indicated that some inmates are even providing medical care for their peers, underscoring the urgent need for reform. The current system has been criticized for placing inmates with severe conditions, such as dementia, in restrictive housing, which is not conducive to their health or rehabilitation.

Key components of the proposed legislation include the removal of the governor from the medical parole process, creating new eligibility criteria for medical parole, and ensuring that individuals who no longer meet medical parole criteria can be returned to custody. The bill also seeks to establish a clearer framework for geriatric parole, raising the qualifying age to 65 for inmates who have served at least 20 years without major disciplinary infractions.

While there is broad support for the bill, some disagreements remain, particularly regarding the risk assessment process for geriatric parole candidates. The House Bill 1123 proposes that all qualifying individuals undergo a risk assessment, while some opponents argue that only those serving life sentences should be assessed to avoid exacerbating existing backlogs.

To address these concerns, the bill includes provisions for the Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board to recommend allocating savings from the implementation of the bill to hire psychologists for conducting risk assessments. This approach aims to balance public safety with the need for compassionate release of older inmates, especially given that studies show low reoffense rates for individuals over 60.

The discussions reflect a growing recognition of the need to reform Maryland's parole system to better accommodate the aging population within its correctional facilities. As negotiations continue, lawmakers are hopeful that a consensus can be reached to ensure that the rights and health of older incarcerated individuals are prioritized while maintaining public safety.