The law allows judges to grant early medical release to inmates who are seriously ill or terminally ill. You, your lawyer or someone else on your behalf can file a petition for your medical release from prison for placement in a hospital, long-term nursing care facility, or hospice care location.
You may be released to a hospital or long-term nursing care facility if you prove that: (i) your medical needs would be more appropriately addressed there rather than the prison; (ii) the facility has agreed to accept you; and (iii) you are seriously ill and not expected to live more than a year.
You may be released to a hospice location if, in addition to the 3 items listed above, you also prove that you are terminally ill, not ambulatory (able to walk around) and likely to die in the near future. If you are released to a hospice location you are subject to electronic monitoring by the Department of Corrections.
The Parole Board can also release an inmate early, although the Board usually takes a long time to act. This can be a problem if you are already sick and need prompt action.
