Aging Behind Prison Walls: Studies in Trauma and Resilience

Over 200,000 men and women over fifty are incarcerated in the US, and by 2030, one-third of all incarcerated individuals will be older adults. Aging Behind Prison Walls by Tina Maschi and Keith Morgen provides a data-driven and compassionate analysis of the lives of incarcerated older people, exploring their resiliencies and coping strategies. The book offers a solution-focused caring-justice framework to address the aging-in-prison crisis and presents concrete proposals to address the issues.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2020
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Over 200,000 men and women over the age of fifty are currently incarcerated in prisons across the United States. According to projections, by 2030, one-third of all individuals behind bars will be older adults. The prison system, already overcrowded and under-resourced, is struggling to meet the growing needs of incarcerated older adults, who are increasingly frail and facing health concerns. Despite their low risk of recidivism, these individuals are separated from their families and communities, highlighting a significant social justice issue. How do incarcerated older adults understand their life experiences?

In Aging Behind Prison Walls, Tina Maschi and Keith Morgen provide a data-driven and empathetic exploration of the lives of incarcerated older individuals. They delve into the resiliencies and coping strategies employed by these aging prisoners to find meaning in their lives before, during, and after imprisonment. Drawing from extensive quantitative and qualitative research, as well as national datasets, the book offers rich narrative case studies that shed light on the experiences of trauma, resilience, and well-being. Based on the findings, Maschi and Morgen propose a solution-focused caring-justice framework to understand and address the structural factors contributing to the aging-in-prison crisis. They offer concrete proposals at the community and national policy levels to address the pressing issues faced by incarcerated elders.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231182591