See data for your state

Prison Policy Initiative updates for May 12, 2020 Showing how mass incarceration harms communities and our national welfare

New state-by-state table: how many people in prison are 55 or older [[link removed]] Our table shows that more than 10% of people incarcerated in state prisons are 55 or older - and in some states, like Montana, the percentage is much higher. [[link removed]]

by Emily Widra

With the CDC having warned that older adults are at heightened risk [[link removed]] for severe complications and death from COVID-19, readers have asked us: Just how many people in state prisons are older adults? We've answered this question — state by state — in a handy table below.

To prepare our table, we drew on the most recent age data from the National Corrections Reporting Program, 1991-2015 [[link removed]]. Age data for state prisons is broken down into categories, and older adults fall into the category of "55 and older." Although outside of correctional facilities, the term "older adults" often refers to people 65 and older, incarceration itself shortens life expectancy [[link removed]] and hastens physiological aging [[link removed]]. So for the purposes of addressing how vulnerable different groups are to the coronavirus, it makes sense to consider adults 55 and older behind bars as "older adults."

We found that, on average, more than 10% of people in state prisons are over the age of 55. Some state prison systems have much higher percentages of older adults, like in Montana, where over 17% of the state prison population is 55 years or older.

Regardless of their preexisting health conditions, all older adults are at greater risk [[link removed]] for complications from COVID-19. As this virus threatens to turn their prison sentences into death sentences [[link removed]], states should use all possible strategies [[link removed]] to release them to the care of their families.

Please support our work [[link removed]]

Our work is made possible by private donations. Can you help us keep going? We can accept tax-deductible gifts online [[link removed]] or via paper checks sent to PO Box 127 Northampton MA 01061. Thank you!

Other news: Our new fact sheet: What's in store if prisons and jails don't decarcerate now [[link removed]]

We put together a new fact sheet for advocates and public defenders to use, showing how rapidly the coronavirus has spread — and will continue to spread — through correctional facilities if state and local criminal justice authorities refuse to release more people.

Read and download our factsheet. [[link removed]]

Update: Recent virus-related policy changes in the criminal justice system [[link removed]]

We're continuing to update our virus response page [[link removed]] with the latest updates from states and counties. What's new:

In Virginia, [[link removed]] the DOC has released 130 people early and approved another 100 for early release. (The governor has given the DOC authority to release people held for nonviolent offenses with one year or less remaining on their sentences.) The North Dakota [[link removed]] Parole Board granted 120 applicants parole in March, all related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In April, more than 100 others were granted parole, although there has been no official statement that these were the result of mitigation efforts around COVID-19. Please support our work [[link removed]]

Our work is made possible by private donations. Can you help us keep going? We can accept tax-deductible gifts online [[link removed]] or via paper checks sent to PO Box 127 Northampton MA 01061. Thank you!

Our other newsletters Ending prison gerrymandering ( archives [[link removed]]) Criminal justice research library ( archives) [[link removed]]

Update which newsletters you get [link removed].

You are receiving this message because you signed up on our website [[link removed]] or you met Peter Wagner or another staff member at an event and asked to be included.

Prison Policy Initiative [[link removed]]

PO Box 127

Northampton, Mass. 01061

Web Version [link removed] Unsubscribe [link removed] Update address / join other newsletters [link removed] Donate [[link removed]] Tweet this newsletter [link removed] Forward this newsletter [link removed]

You are receiving this message because you signed up on our website or you met Peter Wagner or another staff member at an event and asked to be included.

Prison Policy Initiative

PO Box 127 Northampton, Mass. 01061

Web Version [link removed] | Update address [link removed] | Unsubscribe [link removed] | Share via: Twitter [link removed] Facebook [[link removed] Email [link removed]