North Carolina and Alabama are two more states who have established programs to release ill or dying inmates to cut prison healthcare costs. In AL, inmates who are permanently incapacitated, terminally ill, or 55+ will be eligible for release (This will is estimated to be around 125 prisoners).  Inmates convicted of capital offenses and most sex crimes aren't eligible. What do you think of this deal? With overcrowding prisons and skyrocketing health costs, is this a good idea?

If these released inmates then go on Medicare, isn't the cost the same since now the government is paying for the healthcare?