Couple of points. The cost to keep an inmate in the general population is roughly $60/day vs. $90/day for isolation. Over a period of 20 years we find:

$60 X 365 X 20 = $438,000

versus

$90 X 365 X 20 = $657,000

That’s a savings of $219,000 or 10 times the cost of surgery this is assuming the inmate will not be held in isolation at the women’s prison. Net savings otherwise is $199,000 in 20 years and is not adjusted for inflation or interest that could be gained.

Second point. The judge is a Reagan appointee.

Mark Lawrence Wolf

Wolf was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on March 8, 1985, to a new seat created by 98 Stat. 333. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 3, 1985, and received his commission on April 4, 1985. Wolf has served as chief judge for the District Court for the District of Massachusetts since 2006.