250 words agree or disagree to each questions Question 1. Currently, the United States has an estimated 2.3 million people incarcerated which is the largest prison population. With some of these inmates serving life sentences, they eventually become elderly. Compared to the peers outside of prison walls at the same age, they will endure the same ailments and disabilities. Managing healthcare is becoming an ever-increasing concern in these facilities nationwide. Elderly inmates according to the National Institute of Corrections is those of a chronological age of fifty years or older. As time grows, the population of elderly inmates are increasing, as of 2010, 13% of inmates in our prison system were over 55 years old, (Story, 2011). Over the next 20 years, the elderly that are incarcerated is steadily becoming the fastest growing prisoner group. By 2030, the population of elderly inmates over 55 years old and is predicted to be at 1.6 million which will be one third of the entire prison population in the United States. Additionally, studies found that incarceration can age an inmate on an average of 11.5 years. As opposed to younger inmates, the elderly will require special needs such as medical attention, special diets, nurses, and medication. It has been estimated that housing costs for an elderly offender can amount up to $70,000 annually, three times the costs to house a younger offender, Mcbride, 2012). The Federal Bureau of Prisons reported that the cost of healthcare of inmates rose 29 percent from fiscal year 2009 to 2013. In 2009, 854 million dollars was spent on healthcare with a 5.5-billion-dollar budget which was 16 percent. In 2013, the healthcare cost rose to 1.1 billion with a 6.5-billion-dollar budget which was 17 percent. While the BOP states that it cannot determine the specific medical costs associated with individual inmates, we found that aging inmates, as a group, are more expensive to incarcerate than younger inmates, primarily due to their medical needs, (oig.justice.gov, 2016). As we seen the costs of housing elderly inmates is on the rise. On approach could be to implement special housing units for the elderly without incarcerating them into regular jail or prison facilities. Hospice units could also be implemented for those suffering from life ending situations. If an individual does not pose a threat to the public a compassionate or conditional release could be another option for elderly inmates. These releases could include probation, parole, and immediate sanctions. The welfare of the elderly inmate should be a focus while still punishing them. As a human, we have our rights, even prisoners. Prisoners that are elderly should be treated with dignity. Any disabilities or ailments that the inmate might have should be treated appropriately. If the inmate needs hospice, it should be provided. If the inmate is no longer a threat to the general public, they should be released either with conditions, or compassion. U.

1. 250 words agree or disagree to each questions
Question 1.
Currently, the United States has an estimated 2.3 million people
incarcerated which is the largest prison population. With some
of these inmates serving life sentences, they eventually become
elderly. Compared to the peers outside of prison walls at the
same age, they will endure the same ailments and disabilities.
Managing healthcare is becoming an ever-increasing concern in
these facilities nationwide. Elderly inmates according to the
National Institute of Corrections is those of a chronological age
of fifty years or older. As time grows, the population of elderly
inmates are increasing, as of 2010, 13% of inmates in our prison
system were over 55 years old, (Story, 2011). Over the next 20
years, the elderly that are incarcerated is steadily becoming the
fastest growing prisoner group. By 2030, the population of
elderly inmates over 55 years old and is predicted to be at 1.6
million which will be one third of the entire prison population
in the United States. Additionally, studies found that
incarceration can age an inmate on an average of 11.5 years. As
opposed to younger inmates, the elderly will require special
needs such as medical attention, special diets, nurses, and
medication. It has been estimated that housing costs for an
elderly offender can amount up to $70,000 annually, three times
the costs to house a younger offender, Mcbride, 2012). The
Federal Bureau of Prisons reported that the cost of healthcare of
inmates rose 29 percent from fiscal year 2009 to 2013. In 2009,
854 million dollars was spent on healthcare with a 5.5-billion-
dollar budget which was 16 percent. In 2013, the healthcare cost
rose to 1.1 billion with a 6.5-billion-dollar budget which was 17
percent. While the BOP states that it cannot determine the
specific medical costs associated with individual inmates, we

2. found that aging inmates, as a group, are more expensive to
incarcerate than younger inmates, primarily due to their medical
needs, (oig.justice.gov, 2016).
As we seen the costs of housing elderly inmates is on the rise.
On approach could be to implement special housing units for the
elderly without incarcerating them into regular jail or prison
facilities. Hospice units could also be implemented for those
suffering from life ending situations. If an individual does not
pose a threat to the public a compassionate or conditional
release could be another option for elderly inmates. These
releases could include probation, parole, and immediate
sanctions. The welfare of the elderly inmate should be a focus
while still punishing them. As a human, we have our rights,
even prisoners. Prisoners that are elderly should be treated with
dignity. Any disabilities or ailments that the inmate might have
should be treated appropriately. If the inmate needs hospice, it
should be provided. If the inmate is no longer a threat to the
general public, they should be released either with conditions,
or compassion. Ultimately, releasing an elderly inmate that
shows no threat to the public would ease prison overcrowding,
treat that inmate with dignity, and would relieve the cost of the
taxpayer.
References
Story, S. (2011) The Elderly In Prison: A Growing Concern
retrieved from http://www.corrections.com/news/article/28550-
the-elderly-in-prison-a-growing-concern
Mcbride, K., & McKenzie, S. (2012). Elderly offenders: An
American corrections catch-22? (ProQuest Dissertations
Publishing). Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1315770172/
(2016) The Impact of an Aging Inmate Population on the

3. Federal Bureau of Prisons, Office of the Inspector General, U.S.
Department of Justice. Retrieved from
https://oig.justice.gov/reports/2015/e1505.pdf
Question 2.
Most of the time when a person receives criminal punishment,
the public is not worried about the cost to the upkeep of that
criminal's needs. Only time, the public is aware of the cost for
the jail and prison is when the fiscal year budget is the topic of
discussion. Some people may question why taxpayer money
goes to taken care of the inmates, but unknowingly it keeps the
inmates from being seen in the public and keep them behind
bars. Of course, most of the issue is for most prison is what to
do when the inmates get older to be considered an elder or
senior. Another term is a “novice long-termer” a person that is
starting a long-term prison sentence that entitles the service of
15 years or more before becoming eligible for release. Elderly
people that are incarcerated impose a fiscal cost upon the state
government to increase the costs of parole, housing, public
assistance benefits, and emergency room visits, which
potentially lead to a raise tax revenue (Center for Justice at
Columbia University, 2015). In this case, with the increase in
cost rising for the elderly, the problem is where is the issue that
needs the most attention for the prison to discuss a possible
solution.
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has found that
medical needs have increased for aged inmates than younger
inmates. In turn, it limited the staff on training to address the
needs for the gaining inmates and limit on the housing that
would be appropriate for the elder inmates. To the point, elder
inmates can be considered for early release, which can be
money-saving, but there are limits on who can be released. Even

4. though, the inmates become older that will generally become
less of a threat during incarceration and less likely of a threat to
society. With the process of prison aging, the consequence is a
lengthy prison sentence, extended period, or health-related
decline. In case, can become a stressful aspect in the prison for
the staff (Office of the Inspector General, 2016).
In conclusion, the best thing is for the states and federal is to
have certain housing for elder inmates that will meet the
medical needs like a nursing home or a medical center. This
could help to deviate some of the cost to housing in prison, by
having established facilities and staff to take care of the elder
needs and still following the legally mandatory for the inmates.
This will give a chance to work with companion programs that
could help elder inmates on what to do when they get out after
serving their time. However, some citizens will believe if this
was a solution to saving taxpayer money than it will be the best
decision. This will keep elder and younger inmates separated
when it comes to misconduct in the facilities. Also, the inmate’s
rights are met with appropriate staff that can help with certain
items and the need for the inmates. All in all, I cannot wait to
learn more about everyone's thoughts on this possible
approach.
Rachel
References
Center for Justice at Columbia University. (2015, November).
Aging in Prison:
Retrieved from Columbia University:
http://centerforjustice.columbia.edu/files/2015/10/AgingInPriso
n_FINAL_web.pdf
Office of the Inspector General. (2016, February).
The Impact of an Aging Inmate

5. . Retrieved from U.S. Department of Justice:
https://oig.justice.gov/reports/2015/e1505.pdf