Manson follower's release opposed

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) - A "compassionate release" request from Susan Atkins, a former Manson family member who is terminally ill, should be denied, California's director of adult prisons has recommended, officials said Friday.

Suzan Hubbard, director of the Division of Adult Institutions, decided that Atkins' request should not be forwarded to the sentencing court for consideration, according to Terry Thornton, spokeswoman for the California Department of Rehabilitations. The court - not the department or the state Board of Parole Hearings - has the final say on whether Atkins should be released, Thornton said.

The request is now before the Board of Parole Hearings, which is conducting its own independent investigation and will hear the case during an upcoming monthly public meeting, Thornton said. The soonest that could happen would be July 15, she said.

Atkins asked for the release because she is terminally ill and has less than six months to live.