News Release: Catholic Conference “Deeply Concerned’ With Health Care for Prison Population

(LANSING)—Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy Paul A. Long made the following statement concerning the death of Ms. Carla Ringleka, who died this week in prison after reports of her diagnosed cancer spread for nearly a year before treatment:

“Michigan Catholic Conference expresses a deep concern with the lack of proper physical and mental health care for those incarcerated by the State,” says Long. “Those serving prison sentences for their crimes, as a matter of human dignity, should receive necessary health care, including palliative, from within the prison system. As a matter of justice, the presence of adequate care would help prevent the possible early release of prisoners who have not served their full sentence.”

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

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