Increasing Medical Parole in New York State

• In Event: Innovations in Correctional Healthcare for the Aging and Serious and Chronically Ill in Prison

Abstract

In 2015, New York’s medical parole policy was amended to allow for an expedited process in which the DOCCS Commissioner can make the final determination for medical parole release for certain non-violent offenders. The Board of Parole will continue to decide medical parole releases for those convicted of violent felonies. Though medical parole exists as an option for releasing prisoners, the number of people gaining release through this policy remains low. Out of 30 certified applications, the parole board granted medical parole to just 17 individuals in 2014. Our team is working to identify more eligible individuals and secure their release. We are developing screening and assessment tools to determine eligibility, illness severity, and medical care needs upon release. Vera’s project seeks to identify more individuals that are eligible under this policy and to work with DOCCS to secure their release. Vera’s team will collaborate with DOCCS to develop two screening tools to be used in the medical parole application process. This presentation will discuss creating a model for increasing medical parole at the state level through research, tool development, and creating plans post-release for healthcare and secure housing. Cost, health, and quality of life outcomes will be discussed.

Author

• Vedan Anthony-North, Vera Institute of Justice