REENTRY FOR THE OLDER EX-OFFENDER Ohio Ex-Offender Reentry Coalition Quarterly Meeting May 15, 2013 Cincinnati, Ohio

Aging in Ohio is Everyone’s Business

Source: Takashi Yamashita, MA, ABD Scripps Gerontology Center, 2011

Source: Takashi Yamashita, MA, ABD Scripps Gerontology Center, 2011

Source: Takashi Yamashita, MA, ABD Scripps Gerontology Center, 2011

2000 Population Pyramid of Ohio

2030 Population Pyramid of Ohio

Older Prisoners – Nation Most rapidly growing group in U.S. prisons 250,000+ Aging Prisoners (2010) 2007-2010: 65+ prisoners rate grew 84 times rate of overall prisoners Almost 1 in 10 serving life sentences; 11% serving 20+ years

Older Offenders - Ohio Roughly 14.6% (7,371) of ODRC’s inmates are age 50+. ODRC has more than 366 offenders over age 70, with two Hocking Correction Facility inmates over age 90. 2/3 of older offenders return to their home counties upon reentry.

Accelerated Aging In prison, 50 is commonly considered old. The average 50-year-old prisoner compares to the average 60-year-old in the free community. Disease rates among low income Unhealthily lifestyles Substandard medical care Exposure medical care Exposure to violence Stress and anxiety

Health Issues Substance Abuse Chronic medical conditions: HIV/AIDS Diabetes Hepatitis C Mental health problems Cognitive impairments Hearing loss Vision changes Mobility/balance Multiple chronic diseases Incontinence Lack age appropriate resources when transitioning back into the community

Environmental Issues Steps Narrow doorways Temperature Nutrition/Food Waiting in lines No grab bars Long walks Upper bunks Victimization Jobs

New Territory (for the correctional system & the aging network) While health issues are a challenge, today’s elders are healthier and more active than previous generations. They are living longer and potentially have decades of productivity ahead of them. This also means they are more capable of reoffending than previous generations.

Older offenders fall into two service categories: Two Categories Older offenders fall into two service categories: Those needing long-term care services & supports: Access to institutional care, assisted living and home- and community-based services. Those needing self-sufficiency & support services: Employment services, housing, nutrition, transportation, Golden Buckeye Card, and health care, including training and support to help them manage chronic conditions.

Limited Standardized Programs and/or Protocols Educating aging network professionals about the prevalence of older offenders reentering their communities and their special needs, barriers and circumstances. Adequate identification Criminal background exclusions Employment readiness Health care Housing Community supervision

Limited Standardized Programs and/or Protocols (continued) Educating offenders in the reentry process about the services available from Ohio’s aging network. Area agencies on aging Local councils on aging Senior centers Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Limited Standardized Programs and/or Protocols (continued) Educating corrections and reentry professionals on the needs and circumstances of older adults and the services available to older offenders upon reentry. Physiological changes & accommodations Generational differences Communication preferences

Limited Standardized Programs and/or Protocols (continued) In addition, there is a limited availability of training to assist offenders manage their chronic health conditions prior to and after their reentry to the community.

Strategic Performance Goal #1 Achieve a standardized process to ensure older adults exiting the corrections system are aware of aging network programs, services and benefits that are available to them and that aging network professionals are prepared to serve them.

Strategic Performance Goal #2 Achieve a standardized process to ensure that correctional and reentry professionals receive training and access to resources on special needs and circumstances of older adults and the programs, services and benefits that are available to older offenders upon reentry. Generational Diversity & Sensitivity Training, UC College of Nursing (http://nursing.uc.edu/centers/Look_Closer_See_Me.html)

Strategic Performance Goal #3 Provide access to programs and training that assist offenders in the reentry process self-manage chronic health conditions. In fall 2012, ODRC expanded its CDSMP/ Healthy U program beyond southeast Ohio to institutions in Mansfield, London, Orient, Columbus, Marysville and Chillicothe.

Contact Information Marc Molea Chief, Strategic Partnerships Ohio Department of Aging (614) 752-9167 mmolea@age.ohio.gov http://aging.ohio.gov