Generations: The Impact of Aging with a Criminal Record
CHLP Staff Attorney Kae Greenberg authored this article for Generations, a newsletter from the American Society on Aging. It explores the compounded challenges faced by older adults with criminal records. As individuals age, the long-term effects of past convictions become more severe, often resulting in significant barriers to employment, housing, and healthcare. These challenges are even more pronounced for those living and aging with HIV, who face intersecting stigmas related to both their health status and criminal histories—particularly those criminalized for behaviors linked to their HIV status.
The piece calls for comprehensive policy reforms and community-based support systems that address the overlapping issues of aging, criminal justice involvement, and health inequities. Solutions such as record expungement, HIV-specific reentry services, and anti-discrimination measures can help ensure older adults—especially those living with HIV—are not unjustly excluded from opportunities to age with dignity and security. Tackling these challenges is essential to building inclusive, equitable communities for all aging populations.
Read the full article: Generations Today: The Impact of Aging with a Criminal Record
