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Redemption Earned reports rising medical-parole referrals and asks for support
Summary
Redemption Earned said DOC referred 23 medical-parole cases this year, four hearings were granted, 19 more hearings are pending and 55 clients are in the pipeline; the nonprofit asked the committee for funding and partnership to place aged and infirm people in suitable community care settings.
Catherine (Kate) Varner, executive director of Redemption Earned, told the committee her nonprofit has been operating about five years and is focusing on medical parole for aged and infirm incarcerated people. She said the organization has received 23 new DOC referrals this year, has had four medical-parole hearings granted so far and has 19 upcoming hearings plus an additional 55 clients in intake.
Varner said the organization helps place people into nursing homes and community-based care that are better suited for health and mental-health needs than incarceration and asked lawmakers for funding and assistance to expand that work.
"We've been asking for help from DOC about getting us numbers and they have finally this year started sending us numbers," Varner said, adding her group is prepared to work with the committee on placements and parole assistance.
Lawmakers thanked Redemption Earned for the work and encouraged collaboration on discharge planning and placement options as the new complex brings additional medical and mental-health bed capacity.
