Not Far Enough: The Rising Elderly Prison Population and Criminal Justice and Prison Reform Following the First Step Act of 2018

Authors

Johnny Thach, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

Abstract

The First Step Act of 2018, while representing a modest advancement in criminal justice reform, falls short of achieving meaningful change, particularly for elderly prisoners and those with disabilities. Despite its provisions for compassionate release and recidivism assessment, the Act is criticized for its restrictive eligibility criteria, lack of retroactive sentencing reforms, and insufficient oversight of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The note argues that the Act’s limitations perpetuate systemic issues, such as inadequate medical care and high mortality rates among elderly prisoners, highlighting the need for more comprehensive reforms to address these concerns effectively.

Disciplines

Criminal Law | Criminal Procedure | Elder Law | Law

Recommended Citation

Johnny Thach, Not Far Enough: The Rising Elderly Prison Population and Criminal Justice and Prison Reform Following the First Step Act of 2018, 26 Cardozo J. Equal Rts. & Soc. Just. 631 (2020).
Available at: https://larc.cardozo.yu.edu/cardozoersj/vol26/iss3/8