ACTION ALERT - Compassionate Release (AB960)

As it currently stands, California's compassionate release system is flawed, mired in inefficiencies throughout the consideration process. The criteria for compassionate release consideration is narrow and severely limits the number of people courts can consider for relief. Far too few terminally ill and medically incapacitated incarcerated people are being released. Under California's current compassionate release system, nearly 1 in 3 eligible applicants die in prison before their compassionate release process is completed. Medically high-risk people, including those with end-stage cancers and advanced dementia, cannot get their basic needs adequately met in California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation facilities.

Too many tax dollars are spent on incarcerating people who are nearing death and those who require round-the-

clock attention, despite the fact that they pose the lowest risk to public safety. According to a 2004 study by the National

Institute of Corrections, the average annual cost of incarcerating people age 55 and older with chronic and terminal illnesses is two to three times above the average. Additionally, a 2016 study by the U.S. Department of Justice concluded that the recidivism rate for individuals released through the federal compassionate release program was 3.5 percent.

AB960, sponsored by Assemblyperson Phil Ting (District 19), would make California's compassionate release system more humane and effective. The bill sponsors are in the final stretch to encourage legislators to make this bill a reality.

AB960 aims to make reforms to the compassionate release system via these means:

• Codifies timelines to ensure timely responses to applications
• Establishes a presumption in favor of the individual unless the Court finds they are a risk to public safety
• Expands medical eligibility
• Allows additional designated, licensed, health care professionals to begin compassionate release process
• Requires a health care professional be available to attend the petitioner’s court hearing
• Ensures the petitioner’s due process rights to an attorney
• Removes the Secretary from the approval process
• Includes data reporting

Please help us support countless terminally ill and dying incarcerated persons to get better health care on release and allow them to live out the rest of their lives in their communities and with their families.

1. You can amplify this common-sense, humane measure on social media using the AB960 Support Toolkit (opens in Google Docs).
2. As an organization, you can also fill out this template letter of support (opens in Google Docs), upload it to the California Legislature Position Level Portal, and email a copy to Claudia Gonzalez at cgonzalez@rootandrebound.org
3. To read more about AB960, read a bill summary from Assemblyperson Ting's office (opens in Google Docs).
4. For FAQs about AB960, visit here (opens in Google Docs)