Oregon Public Broadcasting

It's not exactly a "Get Out of Jail Free" card. But in Washington state, an increasing number of prison inmates may soon qualify for early release.

That's because they're seriously ill and costing the Department of Corrections a small fortune at a time when budgets are tight.

Correspondent Austin Jenkins recently followed a sick inmate being transferred to a nursing home.

Sean Trigg speeds his electric wheelchair through Ahtanum View Correctional Complex in Yakima, Washington. He's heading for E Unit -- the prison's nursing home wing for disabled and dying inmates.

Former inmate Sean Trigg settles into his new home at a rehabilitation center in Chelan, Washington.

This smelly cinder-block dorm has been Trigg's home for nearly two years -- ever since he was convicted of dealing meth and weapons possession.

Just inside the door an inmate they call "The Brother" stops him. He bows his head on Trigg's shoulder and begins to pray.

"The Brother": "Dear Heavenly Father I just pray that you would just prepare a path for my brother Sean, Father. "

This is Trigg's last day in prison. He's getting out 18 months early because of his medical condition. Prison officials have decided he's no longer a risk to the public.

Trigg is a beneficiary not of mercy, but of Washington's budget woes. He says it's like winning the lottery.

Sean Trigg: "This was totally unexpected. Internally I feel that somehow I got a second chance. It's a chance. That's the way I'm going to take it. I'm not going to goof it up and make a mess of it."

Trigg -- who's 41-years-old -- has multiple sclerosis. It's advanced enough that he can no longer walk. Caring for Trigg has cost Washington taxpayers a bundle. Instead of the average $37,000 a year to lock-up a healthy inmate, the tab at Ahtanum is nearly $60,000.

Plus several times a year Trigg has to be transported over the Cascade Mountains to Seattle for specialized treatment.

Lee Ann Stelter is Trigg's prison counselor. She emphasizes he's not rolling out of prison scot-free. Trigg will have to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet and he'll be assigned to a Community Corrections Officer or CCO.

Lee Ann Stelter: "He's pretty much still incarcerated. He still has to abide by DOC policies and rules. And he has his CCO checking on him. He still has to jump through the hoops just like if he was here. He can't have contact with anyone who's not approved."

Trigg is just the latest inmate to be released in Washington as part of what's called the Extraordinary Medical Program.

In the past decade, nearly 60 medically incapacitated offenders have been freed. But this August a new law takes effect that expands that program.

The idea is to cut prison costs in Washington's current budget crisis. The Department of Corrections expects to release 44 non-violent offenders over the next two years - saving the prison system about a $1.5 million.

It's time for Sean Trigg's release. Outside the prison, counselor Leanne Stelter watches as a correctional officer secures Trigg in a wheelchair accessible van.

Lee Ann Stelter: "Well, you have a good trip."

Sean Trigg: "Thank you Lee Anne For everything."

Lee Ann Stelter: "You're welcome. Good luck guy."

Lee Ann Stelter: "I think he'll do fine. I really do. I think out of all of our guys he's one of the best. I don't think he'll let us down."

And then it's off to Trigg's new home -- a rehabilitation Ccenter in Chelan, Washington.

Robert Morales: "Okay, on our way to Chelan."

Even though Trigg is getting out of prison, taxpayers will still be on the hook for his care. In fact, it will likely cost taxpayers more -- not less -- to house and treat Trigg in the community.

So how is this a money-saver? It's not. But it does get inmates like Sean Trigg off the Department of Corrections' budget and onto Medicaid.

That way the state of Washington can share the costs with the federal government. 

Nearly three hours after leaving Yakima, Trigg arrives in Chelan. And he's definitely not in prison anymore.

Sean Trigg: "Wow, you see the reflections on the water? Gorgeous."

It's a hilltop assisted living facility with a spectacular view of Lake Chelan -- one of Washington's most popular vacation destinations. And it doesn't smell.

Austin Jenkins: "You've been locked up for the better part of two years, so what are you feeling now?"

Sean Trigg: "Happy. This is nice."

The nursing home director, Mark Sanders, greets Trigg like a welcome guest, not an inmate.

Mark Sanders: "How you doing. It's Sean right? Okay, I saw that it said well we have a good Irish name there."

While Trigg goes to see his room, Sanders admits to having had some reservations about taking in an inmate. But he says once he was convinced that Trigg doesn't pose a risk to other residents, he decided to give it a try. But Sanders says he's giving Trigg just one chance.

Mark Sanders: "If he maintains his sincerity and his efforts we're going to have a good relationship and everything will be fine. If he chooses to violate the terms of his agreement, he'll be gone out of here in a heartbeat."

And there will be a prison bed waiting for him back in Yakima.

Currently Washington state is alone in the Northwest in releasing sick inmates to save costs. However the idea has been discussed in the Oregon legislature. And Oregon and Idaho do occasionally release terminally ill inmates out of compassion or mercy.