Capstones
Graduation Date
Fall 12-16-2016
Grading Professor
Mary Pilon
Subject Concentration
Urban Reporting
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Abstract
This character-driven capstone examines the impact New York’s growing aging inmates – defined as those over 50 – have on the criminal justice system.
The stories of those who are in and have been through the system, suggest that reform effort is still dragging slowly. The sentencing policies and healthcare costs continue to have lasting consequences for inmates, their relatives and taxpayers. And early release programs, such as commutation, pardon and parole, also tend to shy away from people serving decades in prison for violent crimes because of the lingering tough-on-crime era.
Recommended Citation
Atkinson, Khorri, "A Long and Pricey Road to Freedom for New York's Aging Prisoners" (2016). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gj_etds/167
Prison reform advocates at a “Candles for Clemency” vigil outside Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s residence in Mount Kisco, NY on Saturday September 17, 2016. Advocates want the governor to adequately grant clemency to people, especially those who have been decades in prison and demonstrated institutional accomplishment. Photo by Khorri Atkinson/NYC News Service
Atkinson_2.jpg (687 kB)
Prison reform advocates at a “Candles for Clemency” vigil outside Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s residence in Mount Kisco, NY on Saturday September 17, 2016. Advocates want the governor to adequately grant clemency to people, especially those who have been decades in prison and demonstrated institutional accomplishment. Photo by Khorri Atkinson/NYC News Service
Atkinson_3.jpg (185 kB)
Age group of incarcerated people in New York prison system
Atkinson_4.jpg (773 kB)
Two supporters of Judith Clark at a “Candles for Clemency” vigil outside Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s residence in Mount Kisco, NY on Saturday September 17, 2016. Clark, 66, has been serving a 75years to life sentence since 1983 for driving a getaway car into Brink’s armored truck as part of a robbery, which resulted in the death of a Brinks guard and two police officers, according to court documents. Photo by Khorri Atkinson/NYC News Service
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