Prisoners Could Soon Reduce Their Sentence By Donating Organs

In what seems like an idea straight from a sci-fi B-movie, the Massachusetts state legislature is considering a bill right now that would reward inmates for donating organs or bone marrow with a reduction in their sentence. Critics call it "apocalyptic coercion" that treats prisoners like "subhumans" and "preys on their desperation," while the bill's supporters say it "restores bodily autonomy to incarcerated folks."

While the bill may be created through good intentions to help the backlog of patients desperate to receive the organ and bone marrow donations, it's hard to see how this doesn't unfairly manipulate hopeless prisoners willing to do almost anything to get out of jail faster. Plus it opens the door to even more dystopian scenarios, such as plea deals where promises to donate organs are traded in court for reduced jail time, or the rich pay bail for underprivileged prisoners who promise bodily donations in return.