Comments on: Taxwatch Recommends Parole For Elderly Prisoners

By: XD9RACER

XD9RACER — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 20:56:07 +0000

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.

By: David

David — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 20:38:06 +0000

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.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 12:42:06 +0000

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 !!!!

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 05:08:12 +0000

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?

By: David Huie Green

David Huie Green — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 03:37:10 +0000

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

By: Me

Me — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 01:48:02 +0000

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.

By: Connie

Connie — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 22:42:08 +0000

Wonder if they asked any of the victims??

By: Rufus Lowgun

Rufus Lowgun — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 22:09:52 +0000

If crime rates are declining, why is the prison population rapidly increasing?

By: melodies4us

melodies4us — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 21:32:15 +0000

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.

By: HomeRun

HomeRun — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 18:47:25 +0000

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?