NCJ Number
99053
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 49 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1985) Pages: 18-24
Date Published
1985
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article identifies the special problems of elderly inmates, provides data to show that the elderly inmate population is likely to increase, and proposes strategies for addressing the needs of elderly inmates.
Abstract
Elderly inmates pose special problems because of their difficulty in adjusting to imprisonment, their vulnerability to victimization by other inmates, prison physical conditions that are particularly harsh for the elderly, the absence of suitable programs, and the diversity of the elderly inmate population. These problems will become more prominent as the elderly inmate population grows. This is likely to occur because the proportion of the elderly in the population is growing. An analysis of Uniform Crime Reports data showed that nationwide, between 1978 and 1982, the 60-64 age group had a 57-percent increase for robbery arrests and a 51-percent increase for burglary arrests. These are crimes which could result in incarceration. The problems of elderly inmates must be recognized and plans made to deal with them. Plans might include the provision of separate wings for elderly inmates, with physical designs appropriate for their health needs and limited physical capacity. Educational, vocational, recreational, and rehabilitation programs should accommodate the needs of elderly inmates. Further, the staff should be trained to recognize and respond to elderly inmates' special social, psychological, and emotional needs. Tabular data and 21 references are provided.