Aging and Older Incarcerated Offenders

The increase in the aging prison population is a major concern for policymakers in nearly every region of the world. The rapid growth of older adults in prison is particularly problematic in the United States, which has the largest incarceration rate per capita. Baby boomers and punitive sentencing practices have left prison administrators in a challenging position to accommodate the special needs of the rapidly growing prison population. In keeping with the mandates of the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits inflicting cruel and unusual punishment, prisoners have a right to timely access to an appropriate level of care, including the right to a medical judgment for serious medical needs. Yet, it has been acknowledged that medical facilities in many state and federal ...