PAROLE BOARD DECIDES ATKINS WRONG    9/3/09


It is clear the California Parole Board has no fiscal responsibility when they decide parole issues. In the recent case of inmate Sharon Atkins, the Parole Board had an opportunity to cut thousands of dollars in costs to an already broken correctional budget. Instead, the parole board chose to forge ahead.Susan Atkins appeared before the parole board Wednesday for a Compassionate Release Hearing. The hearing took about 7 hours according to news reporters. Susan was incarcerated around 40 years ago for brutally stabbing an actress after breaking into her home. A horrible crime that deserves a life, if not a death, sentence. Now, years later, inmate Atkins is unable to walk and can hardly speak. She has terminal brain cancer and, by news reports, can not move 85% of her body. Custody officers wheeled inmate Atkins into the Parole Hearing on a gurney, she can not sit in a wheelchair.

During the hearing, the family of the slain actress stressed that society would not be safe if this inmate was paroled and that inmate Atkins deserved to die in prison. I understand the family’s statements.
However, it is the duty of the Parole Board to put the whole picture together and do what is best for society and the correctional system. Realistically, this inmate is not going to terrorize society if paroled. She can’t move. Pictures of inmate Atkins at the hearing showed her appearing to doze off during the hearing. She certainly appeared terminal.
So, what is the risk if inmate Atkins is paroled? As I see it, none to society. She has a husband. He could provide end-of-life care – but I doubt he would commit crimes because she was paroled.

What does the state gain or lose by paroling inmate Atkins? Mainly, they lose additional medical costs. Her medications, nursing, hospital trips, special custody costs and special correctional housing in the skilled nursing facility add thousands of dollars per week to the correctional budget. Since the governor is trying to squeeze financial savings for the state budget, this is an area that needs to be re-evaluated.
Loraine Goodwin, MD, JD
Candidate for Congress CD 19