While we were neutral on a provision in the state budget this year which would permit the state to classify to “community confinement” an individual sentenced to life without parole (LWOP) who has a serious medical condition which renders them confined to a medical facility, we expressed disappointment that the Governor didn’t further address the broader financial and policy implications of LWOP sentences comprehensively. We urged that this Article be amended to expand the state’s “medical parole” statute to be inclusive of LWOP sentences as a matter of compassionate and fiscally responsible policy. The budget passed without this suggestion.
