A proposed bill in Massachusetts, USA, aims to restore the autonomy of incarcerated people and help the state’s 5,000 residents who are currently awaiting organ transplants.
The law proposed by two democratic deputies mentions that, in recognition of the donation made, prisoners would have their sentence reduced. This reduction could go from 60 days to a year, advanced the Gizmodo.
The program would be managed by a five-member committee that would include members of the State Department of Corrections, a bone marrow and donation specialist, as well as an inmate advocate. This group would be responsible for establishing the eligibility criteria.
The costs associated with the program should be borne by the institutions involved. “There will be no commissions or monetary payments to be made to the Department of Corrections for the bone marrow donated by the inmates”, states the bill.
News about the bill exploded on social media. Kevin Ring, the president of FAMM, an inmate advocacy organization, told the Insider that the program turns inmates into “subhumans”
Ring said he would have considered doing anything to reduce his sentence while in prison. “It is a manipulative idea, which takes advantage of desperation”, said the official.
“In most state systems, you earn good time credits by participating in programs that are designed to reduce the risk of recurrence, these are things that make sense,” he said. However, in his opinion, this bill does not appear to have the same effect.
Democrat Carlos González, one of those responsible for the bill, told the Gizmodo that the backlash against the law was unwarranted and that it strongly supported the rights of prisoners. “I have family members in prison and I have been a staunch supporter of inmates’ rights and reforms,” he said.
González went on to underline that the intention of the bill is to provide inmates with the opportunity to save a life, sometimes even family members or friends, thus enjoying the same right that is available to other citizens. He also mentioned that the program would expand the range of donors.
“The same program can be established without a reduction in the sentence. We are open to debate throughout the legislative session,” continued González. The Democrat added that inmates would only be considered for the donation “in exceptional circumstances”, if there was no other option.
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