No, I didn't mean to imply I think she should have been released for that reason. I think as you said it's better for her to serve her time if only for the public's perception (and to teach her a lesson too). I just thought it brought up interesting points regarding those cases in general (who gets let out early, why and who decides and by what measures exactly). I should have elaborated; I was just being lazy and wanted to post the article.

In her case it was less justified also because from what I read there wasn't any solid proof of a medical condition anyway besides her freaking out about going to jail. In the mean time, there are many nonviolent offenders in jail with serious medical conditions who aren't let out to take care of them; one example another article gave was about a woman who had fibroids which is pretty serious, especially if untreated.

The selling of get out of jail free cards actually isn't a bad idea at all but I think there should be more options also, like either pay x amount of dollars or do x amount of community service so non-violent offenders of all social classes have an alternative to serving time in jail.