Sisters’ Release from Prison Conditioned on Organ Donation

In 1994, Jamie and Gladys Scott led two men into an ambush. Three teenagers hit each man in the head and took their wallets, making off with $11. The sisters were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. After 16 years in prison, Jamie is on daily dialysis, which costs the state approximately $200,000 a year.

Recently, Gov. Haley Barbour decided to suspend their life sentences on the condition that Gladys donates her kidney to Jamie within one year.

Some applaud the governor, calling it a “shining example” of the governor’s power being put to good use. Others argue that the organ donation shouldn’t be a condition of release because trading something of value (in this case, freedom from prison) for an organ is illegal.

See Sister’s Kidney Donation Condition of Parole, Associated Press, Dec. 30, 2010.