Release

No group of people is less likely to commit new crimes after release than older people. Yet older adults make up an ever-larger part of incarcerated populations, a result of extreme prison terms and the miserly use of parole. Governments struggle with the high cost of incarcerating low-risk elders. Opportunities are lost to recognize and respond to the human capacity for remorse, transformation, reconciliation, and contribution.

We advocate for the creation, expansion, and full use of tools to reduce prison terms and release older people who pose little or no risk to public safety. In NYS, our goals include a truly representative parole board, laws requiring timely consideration of people’s transformation and readiness for release, particularly as they age, and the expedited, expanded use of compassionate release/medical parole.