Elderly Prisoners

Current Situation

There are approximately 103,132 inmates aged 50 and older in U.S. correctional facilities. Most elderly inmates are male and tend to be held in minimum-security facilities. Changes in sentencing, which have criminalized more practices and lead to longer periods of confinement for many crimes, in conjunction with a move away from early-release practices such as parole, are all contributing to a rapid growth in older inmate populations. In essence, inmates are staying longer and growing older in prisons rather than being older when entering prison.

Elderly Prisoner Demographics

There are three main groups of elderly prisoners. First, there are the first-time inmates imprisoned at an older age. These people are highly likely to be imprisoned for a violent offense and have the most complex needs of the three groups due to their lack of familiarity with the conditions of incarceration. In the second group are repeat offenders who return to prison at a later age. They often have substance abuse problems and associated poor health. In the final group are people who have grown old in prison due to the long sentences they are serving. While prisoners in this group are likely to be well adjusted to the system, they are also very likely to be institutionalized so that their release is very difficult for them to manage. Such people may be at high risk of self-harm and suicide when they return to the community, or they may reoffend in order to be returned to a penal institution where they will feel more comfortable.

Offense Category

Most inmates over 50 years of age are imprisoned for violent offenses. Whereas age may be a mitigating factor in sentencing for most other offenses, it will have the least effect for violent offenders. Thus, older persons who commit a violent crime are more likely to be imprisoned than older people committing property or nonviolent crimes.

Housing

Most correctional centers are designed to accommodate young and active inmates. Elderly residents report finding the prison environment cold and damp and the stairs and distances difficult to cope with. Since they may be unable to climb stairs, they usually require ramps or wheelchair accessibility to be built. Correctional institutions designed during the 1980s often feature buildings scattered over wide areas. Inmates in these institutions are required to walk long distances to obtain meals, medical services, and other essentials. This may be difficult for elderly inmates.

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