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LGBT Elders and the Criminal Justice System

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Handbook of LGBT Elders

Abstract

This chapter explores LGBT elders with histories of incarceration. Due to the paucity of the literature available on this population, this chapter provides new data from a qualitative study of ten formerly incarcerated LGBT elders’ experiences prior to, during, and after release from prison. Consistent with intersectionality theory, a core theme of self and the social mirror emerged from the data that represented LGBT elders’ ongoing coming out process of unearthing their ‘true selves’ despite managing multiple intersectional stigmatized identities, such as being LGBT, elderly, HIV positive, Reverse order, a member of a racial/ethnic minority, and being formerly incarcerated . These exploratory findings further our awareness of an overlooked population of LGBT elders involved in the criminal justice system. The implications for interprofessional and interdisciplinary policy and practice that incorporate suggestions from the formerly incarcerated LGBT elders for systemic reform are presented .

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fordham University, New York, USA

    Tina Maschi & Ron Levine

  2. Department of Social Work, Long Island University, New York, USA

    Jo Rees

  3. Department of Social Work, Ramapo College, New York, USA

    Eileen Klein

  4. Be the Evidence and Prisoners of Age, New York, USA

    Ron Levine

Authors
  1. Tina Maschi
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  2. Jo Rees
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  3. Eileen Klein
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  4. Ron Levine
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tina Maschi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

    Debra A. Harley

  2. University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

    Pamela B. Teaster

Appendices

Appendix

Images of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated LGBT Elders

See Images 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3.

Learning Exercises

Self-Check Questions

  1. 1.

    Race, class, gender, and sexuality are important in structuring our identity and that examining our sexuality is integral to viewing the _________________ of the many facets of self. (Answer: intersectionality)

  2. 2.

    LGBT persons, especially elders, are at high risk of direct violence in the form of _____________ and/or _______victimization. (Answer: sexual or physical)

  3. 3.

    _____________ research after gather narrative data from participants to gain a in-depth portrait of their lives. (Answer: qualitative)

  4. 4.

    For LGBT survivors of trauma, ________________ is a recommended intervention strategy. (Answer: trauma-informed care)

  5. 5.

    For LGBT elders with serious mental illness and substance use problems, a __________ approach is recommended. (Answer: recovery)

Field-Based Experiential Assignments

  1. 1.

    Visit a LGBT elder center or service provider in your geographic location or attend a LGBT event, and write about your experiences, especially as it relates to your impressions of the LGBT community prior to the visit and after it.

  2. 2.

    Visit the United Nations-Free and Equal Campaign located at and join the campaign: https://www.unfe.org/en. Review the materials, including the fact sheets to learn more about the human rights challenges facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people everywhere and the actions that can be taken to tackle violence and discrimination and protect the rights of LGBT people everywhere. In essay form or in small group discussion, choose one of the problems and the solutions to write about or discuss: (1) LGBT Rights: Frequently Asked Questions, (2) International Human Rights Law, (3) Equality and Non-Discrimination. (4) Criminalization, (5) Violence, or (5) Refuge and Asylum.

  3. 3.

    View the short documentary on LGBT elders released from prison short at: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10204217999038834&set=vb.1493049016&type=2&theater.

In essay form or group discussion, describe your thought and feelings having watched this videos. Did any of your viewpoints change after watching the video? If so, please share in essay form or group discussion.

Multiple-Choice Questions

  1. 1.

    Which country has the most number of incarcerated people in the world?

    1. (A)

      Russia

    2. (B)

      China

    3. (C)

      India

    4. (D)

      USA

  2. 2.

    LGBT elders are at high risk of what types of discrimination and oppression?

    1. (A)

      Housing

    2. (B)

      Employment

    3. (C)

      Violence

    4. (D)

      All of the above

  3. 3.

    Research that actively involves participants voice in the research project is commonly referred to as:

    1. (A)

      Quantitative research

    2. (B)

      Chi-Square Analysis

    3. (C)

      Participatory Action Research

    4. (D)

      Descriptive Research

  4. 4.

    What percentage of incarcerated LGBT people in US prisons report being raped:

    1. (A)

      75 %

    2. (B)

      35 %

    3. (C)

      12 %

    4. (D)

      64 %

  5. 5.

    The USA spend about how much annually to operate correctional facilities?

    1. (A)

      One million

    2. (B)

      Two and a half million

    3. (C)

      15 billion

    4. (D)

      77 billion

  6. 6.

    Social documentary often is used to:

    1. (A)

      Foster dialogue

    2. (B)

      Stimulate debate

    3. (C)

      Stimulate social and institutional change

    4. (D)

      All of the above

  7. 7.

    Social Stigma among LGBT elders involved in the criminal justice system can be experienced:

    1. (A)

      As a result of negative attitudes about their LGBT identity and/or criminal justice involvement

    2. (B)

      Internally in the form of self hatred and low self worth

    3. (C)

      Is not an issue

    4. (D)

      Both A and B

  8. 8.

    Comprehensive services for LGBT elders released from prison may included:

    1. (A)

      Housing and Employment

    2. (B)

      Access to health, mental health, and social services

    3. (C)

      Histories of Trauma

    4. (D)

      A and B only

    5. (E)

      All of the Above

  9. 9.

    For treatment to be effective with LGBT elders with mental health issues released from prison:

    1. (A)

      Medication must be prescribed

    2. (B)

      It must treat the whole individual, not just the mental disorder

    3. (C)

      Be GLBT affirming

    4. (D)

      B and C only

  10. 10.

    An essential element or elements of treatment with LGBT elder released from prison is the following:

    1. (A)

      Engagement without exacerbating stigma

    2. (B)

      Child care availability

    3. (C)

      Offering space for socialization and acceptance

    4. (D)

      Both A and C

Key

  • 1–2-D

  • 3-C

  • 4-C

  • 5-D

  • 6-D

  • 7-D

  • 8-E

  • 9-D

  • 10-D

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Maschi, T., Rees, J., Klein, E., Levine, R. (2016). LGBT Elders and the Criminal Justice System. In: Harley, D., Teaster, P. (eds) Handbook of LGBT Elders. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03623-6_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03623-6_12

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-03622-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-03623-6

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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