New evidence links past incarceration to worsened health in older adults
A recent analysis published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reveals that older adults with a history of incarceration report worse physical and mental health than their peers, even when the time since release extends more than a decade. The study underscores how the consequences of mass incarceration can persist well into later life.
Who was studied and what was found
The researchers analyzed responses from 1,318 U.S. adults aged 50 years and older who participated in the Family History of Incarceration Survey. Of these, 21% reported having been incarcerated at some point. Those with prior incarceration were more likely to be men, identify as non-Hispanic Black or as “other” race/ethnicity, be unmarried, and have lower income and education compared with peers who had never been incarcerated.
Physical health associations persist over time
After adjusting for potential confounders such as demographics and socioeconomic factors, prior incarceration was linked to roughly a 90% increase in the odds of reporting “fair” or “poor” physical health. Notably, the duration since incarceration did not alter this association, suggesting that even individuals released more than ten years ago experienced poorer self-reported physical health than their non-incarcerated counterparts.
Mental health influenced by broader factors
The study also examined mental health, finding that the association between incarceration history and mental health was partly explained by income and employment status. These findings imply that social determinants—economic security and job opportunities—play a significant role in the mental well-being gap observed in formerly incarcerated older adults.
Implications for clinicians and health systems
Experts suggest that clinicians consider screening for incarceration history as part of routine assessments for older adults. Identifying individuals with such histories could help connect them to services and organizations that specifically support formerly incarcerated populations. By acknowledging incarceration as a potential risk factor, healthcare providers can tailor interventions to address both medical and social needs.
Why this matters in the context of mass incarceration
Mass incarceration began in 1973, meaning many current older adults spent a large portion of their adult lives within this era. The long-lasting health effects observed in this study emphasize the importance of understanding how incarceration—even years or decades in the past—can shape health trajectories in later life. Addressing these impacts requires coordinated efforts across healthcare, social services, and community organizations.
What comes next?
The authors, led by Louisa W. Holaday, MD, MHS, call for continued research to unpack the mechanisms linking incarceration history to health outcomes and to evaluate targeted interventions. In the meantime, integrating incarceration history into clinical care and connecting patients to relevant resources could help mitigate health disparities and improve quality of life for older adults with this history.
