Much Needed Prison Reform

Sadly, few Americans realize what a terrible mistake we have made in sending many people to prison starting in the 1970's rather than seeking alternatives like mental health and drug and alcohol abuse treatment. A 2022 Justice in Aging Study determined that as of last year, there were 2.3 million people in 6,000 prisons and jails in the U.S. and that 600,000 people were released from jails and prisons in 2022 (mostly from jails). These numbers are alarming, but what is really frightening are the increasing numbers of older adults in prison. In 1999, 3% of the prison population in the country were over age 55; that number had exploded to 16% in 2016. It is projected to be 30% by 2030! Of those older folks, one study concluded that 40% had cognitive impairment.

Studies indicate that formerly incarcerated seniors are 10 times more likely to experience homelessness upon their release than younger people. Black older adults are 5X more likely to be homeless than white older adults and women are more often homeless than men. These are the reasons why every state and the federal government must not only create ways to release elderly people from prison, but also develop safe and secure housing for them, especially housing that can meet the needs for health care services. We must do that now! Our Black & Jewish Unity Coalition is working to accomplish that. Let me know if you want to work with us.

Malcolm