From Families Against Mandatory Minimums (http://famm.org/):
You may know that FAMM has for years been sharply critical of how poorly compassionate release works. Compassionate release — sometimes known as geriatric or medical parole — is supposed to allow very sick or elderly prisoners to go home early when they pose little or no threat to public safety. But compassionate release is broken, and it is time for us to step up the pressure and get it fixed.
We’re excited to announce today that FAMM has partnered with criminal justice reform, health policy, human rights, and faith-based organizations to launch the Campaign for Compassionate Release. Over the next year, the campaign will raise awareness about federal and state compassionate release programs, conduct research, provide resources to prisoners and their loved ones, and advocate commonsense improvements to federal and state compassionate release programs. Take a look at what we are doing:
Raising awareness.
One of the biggest problems with compassionate release? It is hidden. Few people know about it, including the very prisoners who need it. So, FAMM created an easy-to-understand animated video that explains why reform of the federal compassionate release program is desperately needed. We also showcase three videos that highlight how the dysfunction of the program fails prisoners and their loved ones. Please take a look at the personal stories of Warren Rossin, Allison Rice, and Debbie DiMasi. And then share them with your friends and family through Facebook and Twitter.
Providing support.
If you or someone you know is currently seeking compassionate release for a loved one, please consider joining our new Facebook group, FAMMilies for Compassionate Release. This virtual meeting place is for families struggling to navigate and understand state and federal compassionate release programs.
Advocating smart reform.
Our campaign aims to make real change. With our partners, we sent a letter to Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Mark Inch, urging him to expand the program’s use. FAMM has fought for — and won — improvements to the federal compassionate release program over the years, but the BOP needs to make the program work as Congress intended.
I want to close by asking for your help. We need to educate the public and others about the importance of compassionate release. Most prisoners and their families do not know these programs exist. Others, including many prison officials, are misinformed and unclear about the process. These programs fail the most vulnerable, and this should bother all of us.
We can do better. Please help us spread the word about this important campaign.
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