Aging on Parole

Analyzes the challenges aging populations face when leaving prison

An increasing proportion of people in prison are over 50 years old, with projections indicating that by 2030, 30% of people in prison will be over 50. Because 95% of people in prison return home, a greater proportion of them will be of advanced age. When returning home, older people have lower rates of recidivism compared to their younger counterparts. However, there are challenges that make their reentry particularly difficult, including the possibility of illness and untreated mental health or substance abuse issues, obtaining employment and stable housing at an advanced age, and broken family ties.

Through the lens of redeemability and reintegrative shaming, Aging on Parole examines the needs of people leaving prison in New Jersey and New York, with a focus on people over 50 years old. Through interviews with people on parole, Murolo introduces the importance of successful aging and how the challenges of reentry make that possibility difficult. Moving beyond purely correctional or reentry challenges, this book explores what life satisfaction or well-being means for older people returning from prison.

By sharing the stories of the aging parolees' economic and housing struggles, challenges rebuilding family relationships, and health challenges, Murolo creates a deeper understanding of this growing population. The book also provides recommendations, including age-relevant programming and services to improve reentry outcomes, that provide insight into ways older people can find life satisfaction after parole.