Under HD.3822, a bill filed in the Massachusetts State House last month, incarcerated individuals could shave two months to one year off of their prison sentence in exchange for bone marrow and organ donations. According to Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, a vocal supporter of the bill, this was inspired by his close friend who requires dialysis three to four times a week while he awaits a kidney transplant.
Michael Cox, a progressive voice in the state, noted, “When I saw the bill, it just smacked as unethical and depraved. And the reason is because it is unethical to sell organs; it is unethical to incentivize the selling of organs for very, very good reasons.”
Citing his own experience in the prison system, Cox explained that earning “good time,” or credit-based early release, is difficult to do, as the demand for applicable programming far outpaces availability.
More information on the bill can be found here.
