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US-AGING-PRISONERS-MAKE-UP-FASTEST-GROWING-SEGMENT-OF-NATION'S-P
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA - DECEMBER 20: Anthony Alvarez (R), age 82, is walked to a medical appointment by Phillip Burdick, a fellow prisoner and member of the Gold Coats program at California Men's Colony prison on December 20, 2013 in San Luis Obispo, California. The Gold Coats program is a volunteer care program where healthy prisoners volunteer to take care of elderly prisoners who either need general assistance with mobility and every day life or who also struggle with Alzheimer's and dementia. The program, the first of it's kind in the country, has existed for approximately 25 years; there are currently 11 "Gold Coats." According to Alvarez, he has been incarcerated for 42 years due to a series of burglaries, possession of illegal firearms and escapes from county jail. Eventually these convictions led to him getting a 62-years-to-life sentence due to three-strike laws. "I never shot anyone," Alvarez said, "I had the chance but I could never shoot anyone." Today is Alvarez's second day being assisted by the Gold Coats; he largely needs help with mobility. Alvarez says he served in the Navy from 1950-1955 and fought in the Korean War. Phillip Burdick, age 62, has been volunteering with the Gold Coats for over 18 years - he is the longest serving member of the Gold Coats. Burdick, who says he became a Christian in prison over 30 years ago, has served 37 years on a 7-years-to-life sentence for first degree murder. "Being a Christian man, I know God has a plan for everything," Burdick says. When asked why he joined the Gold Coats he responds, "I was attracted to helping other less fortunate than myself - I can't imagine doing anything better in prison." He hopes to work in a similar line of work if he is released. Andrew Burton/Getty Images/AFP== FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==
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Detalii fotografie |
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San Luis Obispo, California, UNITED STATES |
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AFP / Mediafax Foto |
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| Fotograf: |
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Andrew Burton |
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| Data: |
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21 Decembrie 2013 |
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| Dimensiuni: |
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3000 x 2000 (1012.11 KB) |
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