Compassionate Release
MRIS/EMR
When someone in prison is terminally ill, permanently incapacitated, or requires extensive long-term medical care, keeping them behind bars often serves neither justice nor public safety.
​
Texas has compassionate release programs designed for these circumstances, yet too many eligible people are denied relief or die before their applications are approved.
​
Texas Prisons Community Advocates (TPCA) is working to expand compassionate release, remove unnecessary barriers, and ensure every eligible person is treated with dignity during the final chapter of life.
What Is
Compassionate Release?
Compassionate release allows certain incarcerated individuals with severe medical conditions to be considered for early release when extraordinary circumstances make continued incarceration unnecessary or inhumane.
In Texas, there are two primary pathways:
​
Medically Recommended Intensive Supervision (MRIS)
A parole program for eligible individuals who are terminally ill, elderly, severely disabled, or require long-term medical care.
​
Emergency Medical Reprieve (EMR)
A form of executive clemency reserved for exceptional medical circumstances that requires approval from both the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Governor.
Although these programs exist, they remain difficult to access, leaving many medically vulnerable people behind bars despite posing little or no risk to public safety.
Why Reform is Needed
Texas has one of the largest aging prison populations in the country.
Many incarcerated people experience accelerated aging due to years of incarceration, chronic illness, inadequate medical care, extreme heat, and prolonged stress. As serious illness increases, so does the need for compassionate release.
​
Yet the current system remains restrictive.
​
Many applicants face lengthy delays, broad categorical exclusions, and complex approval processes. Some die while waiting for decisions that come too late.
​
Compassionate release is not about excusing crime. It is about ensuring that serious illness is met with humanity, fiscal responsibility, and evidence-based public policy.
Why Compassionate Release Matters
1. It is humane.
People who are terminally ill or permanently incapacitated deserve dignity, appropriate medical care, and the opportunity to spend their final days with loved ones whenever possible.
​
2. It protects public resources.
Providing intensive medical care inside correctional facilities is significantly more expensive than community-based care or hospice arrangements.
​
3. It improves public safety policy.
Research consistently shows that individuals approved for compassionate release have extremely low rates of reoffending due to age, illness, or severe disability.
​
Our Recommendations
TPCA supports compassionate release policies that prioritize medical need, transparency, and fairness.
​
We advocate for:
-
Guaranteed compassionate release consideration for terminal illness and serious medical conditions.
-
Removal of blanket exclusions based solely on offense type or sentence.
-
Medical experts (not political appointees) to oversee eligibility decisions.
-
Faster review timelines for terminally ill applicants.
-
Clear written explanations for denials.
-
The ability to quickly reapply after denial when health deteriorates.
-
Access to advocates who can help families navigate the application process.
-
Better education for incarcerated individuals, families, attorneys, and correctional staff.
-
Annual public reporting on approvals, denials, processing times, and outcomes.
A compassionate release system should be transparent, timely, medically informed, and centered on human dignity.
How You Can Help
Real reform requires public support.
​
You can help by:
-
Learning how compassionate release works.
-
Contacting your elected officials.
-
Sharing this campaign with others.
-
Supporting families navigating the process.
-
Donating to help TPCA advocate for humane prison policies across Texas.​
Together, we can build a justice system that recognizes compassion as a strength, not a weakness.