In the 30 years since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Estelle v. Gamble (1976), the evolving standard of decency on which the decision was based has been better articulated and defined by other courts, using Estelle as a basis. This article addresses the practical, ethical, and legal issues in understanding the recent emphasis on planning for an inmate’s release back to the community. Specific court cases and laws are discussed to highlight which inmate health and behavioral needs presently require comprehensive discharge planning and what can be expected in the future.
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