Disarm before discharge

What happens when a 76-year-old child molester costs the state $1.5 million in medical bills? He’ll probably be let out of jail early.

The man is one of a few seriously or terminally ill sex offenders whose total medical expenses cost approximately $4.3 million in 2004.

A current law prohibits early parole for sex offenders regardless of their medical condition. Now it looks like the House is behind Rep. Sylvester Turner’s (D-Houston) 1093 bill that will let sick sex offenders out with "strong" measures in place.

The Austinist would like to point out that the definition of "sick" in this bill refers to things such as chronic asthma, hepatitis C, and coronary artery disease, not getting off on raping kids.

In addition to electronic bracelets, parole officers, and review of the medical condition, the Austinist suggests taking the offender’s weapon away. We don’t hand convicted murderers guns when they’re let out on parole, now do we?