“For incarcerated people experiencing menopause, the harm is exponential. As the country ages, so too does the incarcerated population, at rates even faster. In California, the share of those over age 50 increased five-fold in the span of less than a decade; today, they comprise nearly a quarter of all people in prison there. In recent decades the overall rate of incarceration for women has grown significantly, ultimately outpacing the rate of incarceration for men. As a result, the number of women experiencing or soon experiencing menopause behind bars has skyrocketed to more than 40 percent of incarcerated women today.
Earlier this year, my organization, Impact Justice, partnered with UC Berkeley Haas’ Social Sector Solutions program to do a deep dive into the state of menopause education and care in prisons. We found critical gaps in awareness, education and resources for menopause care for incarcerated women and the medical staff tasked with supporting them.”
