By Sam Stanton
sstanton@sacbee.com
A 48-year-old robbery convict was granted medical parole from state prison today, marking the first time a new law has allowed for the release of an inmate deemed to be medically incapacitated and not considered a threat to society.
Craig Lemke, a Lake County man serving a 68-year sentence since 2007, was approved for parole at a hearing today, state corrections spokeswoman Terry Thornton said.
Lemke technically is being held at Pleasant Valley State Prison, but is in a long-term care facility because of his medical condition.
PDF:Craig Lemke list of offenses
Prison officials say they are not permitted to discuss an inmate's condition, but Lemke will now be considered on parole and will no longer need to be guarded. He had previous convictions for burglary and robbery and is believed to be the first Three Striker to be paroled by the Board of Parole Hearings.
The new law is designed to save the state millions in the cost of guarding such inmates and providing their medical care.
The first medical parole hearing held under the law last month resulted in a parole board panel denying the release of a convicted rapist who is a quadriplegic.
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