[Bookstoprisoners] Disgusting...

[Lyman (Bob) Tieman]

S.C. may cut jail time for organ donors 

By SEANNA ADCOX, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 31 minutes ago 

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Inmates in South Carolina could soon find that a kidney is
worth 180 days. 

Lawmakers are considering legislation that would let prisoners donate organs
or bone marrow in exchange for time off their sentences.

A state Senate panel on Thursday endorsed creating an organ-and-tissue
donation program for inmates. But legislators postponed debate on a measure
to reduce the sentences of participating prisoners, citing concern that
federal law may not allow it.

"I think it's imperative that we go all out and see what we can do," said
the bills' chief sponsor, Democratic Sen. Ralph Anderson. "I would like to
see us get enough donors that people are no longer dying."

The proposal approved by the Senate Corrections and Penology Subcommittee
would set up a volunteer donor program in prisons to teach inmates about the
need for donors. But lawmakers want legal advice before acting on a bill
that would shave up to 180 days off a prison sentence for inmates who
donate.

South Carolina advocates for organ donations said the incentive policy would
be the first of its kind in the nation.

Federal law makes it illegal to give organ donors "valuable consideration."
Lawmakers want to know whether the term could apply to time off of prison
sentences.

"We want to make this work, we really do," said Republican Sen. John
Hawkins. "But I want to make sure no one goes to jail for good intentions."

Mary Jo Cagle, chief medical officer of Bon Secours St. Francis Health
System in Greenville, urged senators to find an allowable incentive.

"We have a huge need for organs and bone marrow," Cagle said.

But Melissa Blevins, executive director of Donate Life South Carolina, said
any incentive would break the law and the principle behind donations.

"It really muddies the water about motive. We want to keep it a clearly
altruistic act," she said.

Under the proposals, money for medical procedures and any prison guard
overtime would be paid by the organ recipient and charitable groups. The
state would also decide which inmates could donate.

Corrections Department Director Jon Ozmint said he believes inmates would
donate even without the incentive.

"There are long-term inmates who would give if they knew a child was dying,"
he said. "They're lifers. They know they're going to die in prison."

More than 95,300 Americans are awaiting an organ transplant, according to
the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. About 6,700 die each
year.

 

 

Lyman (Bob) Tieman

Keystaff for UC Books 2 Prisoners (http://www.books2prisoners.org/)

Senior in Philosophy/Psychology at the University of Illinois

(217) 352-7382

 

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