Massachusetts prisoners who donate organs may get less prison time

Alligatorob

Alligatorob

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Northern Utah, transplanted from Florida/Louisiana
I am a bit ambivalent on this. On the one had we spend huge amounts of money on transplants that often only provide a very select number of people with a few more years of life. On the other one of my best friends got a kidney transplant yesterday, I sure hope he's around a lot longer...

Assuming we are going to be doing transplants I don't see why people who donate shouldn't be compensated in some way.

Inmates should be able to donate organs or bone marrow in exchange for reduced time in prison, according to a proposed bill in Massachusetts.

Donors would receive at least 60 days but no more than one year off their sentences.

Two state lawmakers - both Democrats - claim the bill would "restore bodily autonomy" to incarcerated people.

But critics warn it is unethical and preys on inmates' desperation.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64488678
 

Incarcerated people don't have "bodily autonomy"? I assumed they regained that after the public found out prison inmates were unknowingly injected with syphilis for science back in the 30s....the Tuskegee Experiment.
 
Alligatorob said:
I am a bit ambivalent on this. On the one had we spend huge amounts of money on transplants that often only provide a very select number of people with a few more years of life. On the other one of my best friends got a kidney transplant yesterday, I sure hope he's around a lot longer...

Assuming we are going to be doing transplants I don't see why people who donate shouldn't be compensated in some way.

Inmates should be able to donate organs or bone marrow in exchange for reduced time in prison, according to a proposed bill in Massachusetts.

Donors would receive at least 60 days but no more than one year off their sentences.

Two state lawmakers - both Democrats - claim the bill would "restore bodily autonomy" to incarcerated people.

But critics warn it is unethical and preys on inmates' desperation.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64488678
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My instantaneous thought upon reading your post is WHAT A GREAT IDEA. A voluntary gift is a voluntary gift.
 
Knowing there would be intensive screening for blood diseases, drug use, alcohol damage, and other negatives to donating organs, it still may save lives. It is worth considering.
 
I don't think prisons should be organ farms. Prisoners are people under great emotional stress, with the intense desire to be out of prison. It's not a level playing field for prisoners. Selling your body for time off is akin to a form of prostitution. We send people to prison for the crimes they have committed, they are not there to become items in a human organ grocery store.
 
So you need a new part, just order it online and a compatible prisoner will provide with no compensation to him/her. I think I first saw the process on 60 Minutes years ago and still find it disgusting. But, when I worked a hunger project, also years ago, their theme was "Life shouldn't be as cheap as tortillas", now there has been a price reduction. :cry:
 
I don't think incentives for organ donation are necessarily a good thing. Could lead to abuses and with prisoners could wind up paying their medical related bills the rest of their entire lives.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
I don't think prisons should be organ farms. Prisoners are people under great emotional stress, with the intense desire to be out of prison. It's not a level playing field for prisoners. Selling your body for time off is akin to a form of prostitution. We send people to prison for the crimes they have committed, they are not there to become items in a human organ grocery store.
Click to expand...
Well, ya know, we can buy livers at Albertson's & Kroger's......
 

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