Illinois Prison News Today

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Hundreds who are medically incapacitated are kept behind bars, despite new medical release law

The Joe Coleman Medical Release Act was expected to have freed hundreds of terminally ill and medically incapacitated prisoners in Illinois by now, but only a few dozen have been released.

CapitolView - September 7, 2023

Anchor Fred Martino talks with Jennifer Soble, Executive Director of the Illinois Prison Project. Analysis from Jason Piscia-Director, Public Affairs Reporting Program, University of IL Springfield

Prisoners in Illinois can request early release if terminally ill and expected to die within 18 months or medically incapacitated and need help with daily tasks.

“Our prison system is now completely overburdened by people who pose absolutely no risk to public safety but are tremendously expensive to care for.”

Terminally ill or medically incapacitated prisoners can apply for early release. But the Illinois Prisoner Review Board has denied twice as many requests as it OKed — and seven prisoners died months after their applications were rejected, an Injustice Watch / WBEZ investigation found.

Lawmakers said hundreds of people would be released thanks to the Joe Coleman Medical Release Act. But so far, just 52 have gotten out.