Medical Journal: Let Doctors Decide Who Gets Out of Prison on Compassionate Release

Compassionate release is a policy that permits dying prisoners to apply for release before their sentences have been fully served. I have no problem with it in particular cases, but a JAMA article argues that law enforcement authorities don't release enough ill prisoners and urges that the decision instead be made by doctors.

From "Compassionate Release Reform—Moving Medical Parole to Medical Professionals":

From a justice perspective, the initial conviction is often used as justification to refuse thousands of eligible applicants. Although some may argue that it would be unfair to shorten a sentence simply for the end of life, this sentiment is misguided. US sentencing practices far exceed any peer nation, and many of those who apply for medical parole have spent several decades behind bars already. These individuals have endured chronic stress, poor environmental conditions, and limited medical services that ultimately cause accelerated aging, leading to advanced illness at significantly younger ages than community peers.

Based on the excessive sympathy the authors show toward people who have committed horrible crimes — who are the ones primarily incarcerated for very long terms — I say no.