To improve public safety by restoring former offenders to productive roles in society through training, counseling and education programs that remove the barriers to meaningful employment and that teach skills for today's workforce.
Representatives from Chattanooga Endeavors discussed implications of the aging prisoner population on the workforce at the annual Senior Services of America conference in Indianapolis (September 8-12). The presentation was entitled, “The Growing and Graying of American Prisons.”
Dec 02 2008
The percentage of prisoners in federal and state prisons 55 and older increased by 33% from 2000 to 2005 while the prison population grew by only 8%. In Tennessee this segment represents approximately 11% of the prison population. “Much of this growth has been driven by the tough on crime legislation of two decades ago,” says Dempsey. In addition to creating unique reentry concerns, the growth in the elderly population behind bars has consumed prison capacity and fueled construction projects. “What’s more,” Dempsey adds, “health care costs soar with older inmates”
Under U.S. law convicted felons lose their eligibility to apply for Medicare and Medicaid. Housing one prisoner costs a state between $18,000 and $31,000 annually, $33 per day for the average prisoner and $100 per day for an elderly prisoner.
“Under ordinary circumstances, the hardships facing people after prison are difficult to overcome,” said Tim Dempsey, Chattanooga Endeavors’ CEO. “Add to that a very long period of incarceration and the disadvantage of age in the competition for work and it becomes next to impossible for older offenders to restore themselves to a productive role in society.”
Having served 43 years in prison and now 64 years old, Ronnie Rogers knows what Dempsey is referring to. “If it wasn’t for my family, I don’t know where I would be,” Rogers admits as he describes the lack of services available to him when he came home. “The prison system really isn’t set up to help people like me. It’s amazing any of us make it.” Rogers learned about Chattanooga Endeavors from an article he read in the local newspaper. He called the organization and was immediately connected to Alexian Brothers’ Senior AIDES program. “The people at Chattanooga Endeavors and Senior AIDES were a life saver for me. I cant imagine what I would have done without them.”
The Senior AIDES program places older adults in community service positions that provide them with valuable training and work experience. Through assignments with local nonprofit and governmental partners, Senior AIDES gain confidence, enhance their incomes, learn valuable employment skills and support their communities.
Local governmental agencies and community service organizations like Chattanooga Endeavors, running on tight budgets, welcome the addition of dedicated workers whose employment is funded through Title V of the Older Americans Act.
Rogers completed Chattanooga Endeavors’ work readiness course and has continued to serve the agency in a part time training position funded through the Senior AIDES program.
