Compassionate Release

For Media Inquiries:
Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273
tlaino@famm.org

FAMM submits testimony in support of Illinois medical release bill

SPRINGFIELD — FAMM General Counsel Mary Price submitted testimony to the Illinois House Judiciary-Criminal Committee in support of a medical release bill providing for early release for medical incapacity or terminal illness.

“This bill is an important and overdue reform that would construct a thoughtful medical release program that the state sorely needs,” Price said. “Incapacitated and dying individuals in Illinois prisons can only seek early release via executive clemency, but this avenue is used only in extremely rare circumstances. We urge Illinois’ legislators to pass this legislation, a great step forward for the state.”

Price is the author of Everywhere and Nowhere: Compassionate Release in the States (June 2018), based on 51 memos describing current state policies; Illinois is available here.

For nearly three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM’s focus on ending a one-size-fits-all punishment structure has led to reforms to sentencing and prison policies at the state and federal level and is paving the way to programs that support rehabilitation for the 94% of all prisoners who will return to our neighborhoods one day.

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FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safeguard taxpayer dollars and keep our communities safe. Founded in 1991, FAMM is helping transform America’s criminal justice system by uniting the voices of impacted families and individuals and elevating the issues all across the country.