Title |
Compassionate Release Policy Reform: Physicians as Advocates for Human Dignity
|
---|---|
Published in |
The AMA Journal of Ethic, September 2017
|
DOI | 10.1001/journalofethics.2017.19.9.peer2-1709 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Andreas Mitchell, Brie Williams |
Abstract |
A rapidly aging correctional population has led to an increasing number of patients with serious progressive and terminal illnesses in correctional settings. "Compassionate release" describes a range of policies offering early release or parole to incarcerated patients with serious or debilitating illnesses. However, in many states that have compassionate release policies, few patients are actually granted release. We describe how the continued incarceration of patients with serious or debilitating illness can constitute a violation of human dignity if appropriate palliative care is unavailable. We argue that, given the importance in medical ethics of upholding dignity, physicians should advocate for the appropriate application and use of compassionate release. We describe several opportunities for physicians to take leadership on this issue. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 5 | 45% |
Colombia | 1 | 9% |
South Africa | 1 | 9% |
Unknown | 4 | 36% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 10 | 91% |
Scientists | 1 | 9% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 34 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Ph. D. Student | 5 | 15% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 5 | 15% |
Student > Bachelor | 5 | 15% |
Other | 3 | 9% |
Professor | 2 | 6% |
Other | 7 | 21% |
Unknown | 7 | 21% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 7 | 21% |
Social Sciences | 4 | 12% |
Psychology | 4 | 12% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 3 | 9% |
Unspecified | 1 | 3% |
Other | 3 | 9% |
Unknown | 12 | 35% |