There are few ways for people getting older behind bars to get out unless their death is imminent. · Spotlight PA

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Compassionate Release

About our Compassionate Release coverage

There are few ways for people getting older behind bars to get out unless their death is imminent.

There is bipartisan agreement that it’s too hard for people serving life in prison to get out when they are aging and ailing. But two proposals to change that face an uncertain future.

Broken ‘compassionate release’ rules strand Pa.’s sickest prisoners as costs to taxpayers soar

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

There is bipartisan agreement that it’s too hard for people serving life in prison to get out when they are aging and ailing. But two proposals to change that face an uncertain future.

Mary Buffaloe holds a picture of her brother Raymond Caliman.

A dying man won release from prison after Spotlight PA highlighted his case. It shouldn’t be that hard, advocates say.

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

Courtesy Philly Story Fest

You’re invited! Spotlight PA headlines first-ever Philly Story Fest.

by Spotlight PA Staff

Bradford Gamble is one of only 33 people who have successfully petitioned to leave a Pennsylvania state prison in the past 13 years because of illness.

To successfully use Pennsylvania’s ‘compassionate release’ law, he had to choose to die

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania’s narrow criteria for “compassionate release” have resulted in only 31 people successfully making use of the program in 13 years.

WATCH: A free virtual panel on Pa.’s medical release law for state prisoners

by Spotlight PA Staff

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