NCJ Number
179303
Date Published
1998
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This is an overview of the elderly inmate population in southern American States’ correctional systems.
Abstract
Over the past decade, the number of elderly inmates has increased both in absolute terms and as a percentage of the entire inmate population. While the number of inmates age 50 and older increased 115.12 percent between 1991 and 1997, overall inmate population increased only 83.69 percent. This trend is expected to continue, as prison sentences, on average, get longer and tougher. Correctional services may need to address a number of concerns with regard to the elderly inmates, including health care, depression, work assignments, co-payments, nutritional requirements, victimization by other inmates and appropriate staffing. The greatest challenge facing corrections departments in meeting the needs of elderly prisoners is providing for their medical care and the increased costs of that care. The second is the shortage of available facilities and programs to accommodate this population. In addition, the shortage of adequately trained staff is problematic in caring for elderly inmates. Tables, notes, references