The High Cost of Incarcerating the Elderly and Infirm in the Massachusetts Prison System

I know that the men and women in prison are there because they committed serious crimes.  They are being punished not only because they are away from family and friends, but they also live with the horror of their transgressions.  So they should; their victims do.  However, many of these offenders are elderly and are no more a threat to public safety.  It is costing the Massachusetts taxpayers dearly to keep these elderly incarcerated.  Is there a better alternative?

According to the 2013 Department of Correction Annual Report, medical care for prisoners cost Massachusetts taxpayers $98,520,685.  By 2015 the figure is expected to exceed $ 100,000,000.  Massachusetts state officials estimate that the state will need to build separate, specialized long term care units for the chronically ill and disabled for at least 600.  These people are severely disabled with illness.  They have debilitating chronic diseases.

The current trajectory on this critical issue is economically infeasible and morally untenable.  Something has to give.  Any ideas?

Here's a few:

•  release those who pose no risk to society into supervised medical care
• develop an Assisted Daily Living Care facility for the incarcerated
• train and utilize life and long term prisoners as basic health care providers to care for the elderly
• support legislation that calls for supervised medical release of prisoners suffering from chronic illness.  Contact your local State Representatives to request that they support medical release legislation.

Yes, it is true that many years ago some offenders committed serious crimes.  Many of these now elderly and infirm men and women have paid dearly for those transgressions through years of incarceration.  Today, an ever growing number of these former offenders are very ill, dying, and need specialized care that prisons are not equipped to handle.  They are not capable of hurting anyone and pose no threat to society, any longer.  The situation needs to be addressed.

This information was put together by the Norfolk Lifers Group.  You may contact them at 

Norfolk Lifers Group

P.O. Box 43

Norfolk, MA  02056

Lugged

One of my "cloistered brothers" got lugged and thrown in the hole.  I'm asking your prayers that he stay strong and emerge intact, and even stronger spiritually and physically.
       He's there because he blew the whistle on a Sex for Information Ring run by some bum correctional officers.  The official reason being given is that my brother is there for protection during investigations.
       Solitary Watch, an organization that publicizes confinement in solitary, has noted the situation.  Solitary Watch is a good source of information for those of us interested in rehabilitation and humane treatment of prisoners.  Read about them here. 
    
The situation is a sad commentary.  Prayers are requested for my cloistered brother, and also that some positive changes may be made in the prison system.
Remember what I posted last Sunday.  The only person ever promised that he was going to heaven when he died, was the condemned prisoner, crucified next to Jesus.

Fr. David Kammler, O.P.

Fr. David Kammler, O.P. is the International Promoter of the International Lay Fraternities of Saint Dominic. He came to visit my chapter today. We love to see him because he tells us what's going on in the rest of the world.

Today he celebrated Mass and answered all our questions. We learned that our Master General, Father Carlos Azpiroz, O.P. almost, but just couldn't fit a visit with us, in his schedule, when he was here a few months ago. But he sent us a letter telling us how much he tried to come see us and how much he wishes that our spirituality (Fr. Marie Jean Joseph Lataste, O.P.) could be spread around the world. Fr. Kammler gave us an update on the process of beatification of Father Lataste and the Dominican Sisters of Bethany.

Sister Ann and her liturgical dancers presented a reflection on the Transfiguration, for Fr. David. Mick, our resident artist presented Fr. David with a picture he drew. And we all received a personal, private blessing from Fr. David.

The entire day was a blessing. Deo Gratias.

Richard Nethercut

Dick has been missing since September 19th. Prayers are requested. Dick is a much loved, giving person. He facilitated a group in MCI Norfolk on Alternatives to Violence. He lectured against capital punishment. All this is pretty remarkable since his own daughter was raped and murdered.

Dick thinks you can not justify killing. A life for a life diminishes human kind.

Last night he won the award Volunteer of the Year, at the prison. It was pretty sad to realize that he wasn't there to receive it.

Where is he?

Today is the Feast of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. May they guide Dick home.