Aging Reentry Populations: Trends and Implications

• In Event: Prisoner Reentry: Trends and Desistance

Abstract

We use data from the National Corrections Reporting Program in a new study of all people leaving California prisons between 2000 and 2014. We find that the population of people who are at least age 55 upon release tripled during the period. We also find that although members of this group are much more likely to have been convicted of a violent crime compared to people in other age groups, they are substantially less likely to return to prison. These findings are consistent with a growing body of work documenting the high costs associated with incarcerating people into old age and the often-limited utility of doing so. We discuss our findings in light of recent reforms in California, which were enacted in response to unconstitutional conditions created by inadequate medical in prisons – an emerging challenge for prison systems around the country that are witnessing similar aging trends. We provide policy recommendations for corrections officials and others charged with managing the growing population of older people reentering their communities, who have very different needs and challenges compared to their younger counterparts.

Authors

• Zachary Psick, University of California, Davis

• Ryken Grattet, University of California, Davis