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GERIATRIC INCARCERATION
Where's My Coffee Cup was filmed in Virginia, where parole was abolished in 1995. Virginia has discretionary parole, and a governor-appointed board determines whether to grant it. In 2024, eight geriatric paroles and three terminally ill grants were made.
Unfortunately, our state and federal prisons are not equipped to deal with the elderly, and, absent long overdue geriatric reform, it is anticipated that by 2030, more than 400,000 people in prison will be aged 55 and older, and make up 1/3 of the prison population. This is not just a Virginia problem.
- View the state code to see a list of exclusions to terminal release: https://shorturl.at/WENtv
UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES
Geriatric Inmates in the State Responsible Confined Population FY2024 VADOC Report
Aging in prison: Elderly population may triple in 20 years RADIO IQ | By Sandy Hausman. Published November 16, 2022 at 5:27 PM EST
The U.S. prison population is rapidly graying. Prisons aren't built for what's coming
March 11, 20245:12 AM ET
Medical Justice Alliance Year-End Report 2024
TAKE ACTION
As a result of tough-on-crime policies, the elderly and aging prison population has swelled beyond the capacity of prisons to care for them. Due to the low-risk/high-cost of geriatric incarceration, many states are rethinking release for the aging. Instead of endless punishment, we should use our core values of fairness, compassion, and restorative justice to implement long overdue legislation for geriatric release.
Sample letters to your legislators and your Department of Corrections are here:
- For legislators, click here. View the state code here.
- For the Department of Corrections, click here.
ORGANIZATIONS
There is a great deal of grassroots and non-profit advocacy around the issue of incarceration nationwide. Contact the Virginia Prison Justice Network (vapjn1@gmail.com) for a list of resources in Virginia. From writing to the incarcerated elderly to amplifying their concerns, help is always appreciated.
- RAPP (Release Aging People in Prison): https://rappcampaign.com/resources/
- Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is a public or private, non-profit agency that addresses the needs of older people at the local and regional levels, serving a specific geographic area like a city, county, or multi-county district. There is currently a small but impressive group of AAAs across the country that are offering effective programs to support the needs of aging prisoners or those transitioning back into the community. Examples include AAAs that provide reentry services such as access to transportation, employment, and housing; AAAs that provide case management to the recently released population; and AAAs that offer programs in the jail or prison setting, commonly Chronic Disease Self-Management Education programs. (See: https://shorturl.at/uYUdK)
Virginia has 25 local agencies spread across the state. Contact them and ask if they offer programs to support people aging in prison or reentering the community.
- Virginia Prison Justice Network (justicebburg@gmail.com)