(LANSING) - Some Michigan prison inmates who are serving sentences of life without parole could be released to nursing homes under bills approved by a Michigan House committee.
Lawmakers were told that care for elderly and very sick inmates is expensive for taxpayers, yet these are prisoners who no longer pose a risk.
Chris Gowtz is with the Michigan Department of Corrections and he says there are currently 20 to 40 inmates who are old or sick enough to potentially qualify for medical parole.
"We're not sending anyone out into the community, into a nursing home that's a threat to anyone else," Gowtz says.
Gowtz says some nursing home operators have expressed interest in taking in former lifers. Those serving time for rape or first-degree murder would not be eligible for medical parole. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer supports the legislation.
The federal Medicaid program would cover the care and medical costs.
