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NYS CoRR Platform Message NYS Coalition for Rehabilitation and Reentry Elderly and/or Sick Incarcerated Persons There are a growing number of old, feeble and very sick persons currently incarcerated in the New York State correctional system. These persons experience additional suffering as a result of their physical deterioration, and are an extraordinary drain on state resources because of their special needs and medical expenses. Careful screening and release under supervision in the community would insure that those released pose minimal or no risk to public safety. Compassion and fiscal economy are advanced by the practical accommodation of earlier but controlled release to the community.
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1. On January 1, 2007, there were 686 incarcerated persons in DOCS custody over the age of 65; 886 were between 60-64; 1809 were between 55-59; and 3564 were between 50-54. The tidal wave of increasing age of incarcerated persons is advancing. With the near doubling of many sentences in the past decades, and the “truth in sentencing” policies that guide parole releases, the average age of the New York State prison population has steadily increased. Prison also ages a person more quickly. Incarcerated persons over the age of 55 have been found to be physically seven years older than their calendar age and suffer from an average of three chronic illnesses. At the same time the cost of housing older prisoners has been found to be about twice that of younger prisoners. These are, for the most part, low risk offenders. One of the best predictors of recidivism is age. As we get older, we become less dangerous. After age 35, the inclination or ability to commit major crime decreases. Between 55 and 80, the recidivist inclination is very low indeed.
Early release is clearly out the
question for some prisoners. Most elderly
prisoners, however, fall into crime categories
with very low likelihoods of committing new
offenses. Nationwide, people between the age of
50 and 54 are responsible for 1.6 percent of new
crimes. People 60 years and over are responsible
for 0.07 percent of new crimes. (NY Times,
Jonathan Turley, Oct. 9, 1989)
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2. Send Your Email
or Postal Message to some of the following:
DCJS Director Denise O'Donnell
Assembly Aging Committee
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A summary of all 12 planks can be found at Summary
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