A Commentary on Age Segregation for Older Prisoners: Philosophical and Pragmatic Considerations for Correctional Systems

Overview

Journal Crim Justice Rev

Date 2017 Mar 21

PMID 28316366

Citations 7

Authors

John J Kerbs

Jennifer M Jolley

Affiliations

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Abstract

The growing number of older prisoners in state and federal prisons has fostered an important discussion in literature regarding the potential benefits of age-segregated living arrangements for older inmates. This article begins with a brief review of the reasons for America's aging prison population. Thereafter, it uses a multidisciplinary literature review to clarify a 4-point rationale for age-segregated prisons: (a) cost savings via centralized health care for older prisoners; (b) the reduction of civil liabilities for correctional systems that centralize disability services as per requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; (c) the advancement of prisoner safety for older inmates; and (d) the promotion of rehabilitation by advancing treatment opportunities with a group that is most likely to desist from future criminal activity (in part) due to age-related desistance from crime. Conclusions focus on age segregation within the historical context of segregation in prison based on sociodemographic characteristics.

Citing Articles

Cognitive Impairment in Older Incarcerated Males: Education and Race Considerations.

Perez A, Manning K, Powell W, Barry L Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2021; 29(10):1062-1073.

PMID: 34193384 PMC: 8448974. DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2021.05.014.

Self-rated health and mental health among older incarcerated males.

Vogel C, Molinari V, Andel R, Barry L Aging Ment Health. 2020; 25(11):2100-2108.

PMID: 32698603 PMC: 7855989. DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1795621.

Functional disability, depression, and suicidal ideation in older prisoners.

Barry L, Coman E, Wakefield D, Trestman R, Conwell Y, Steffens D J Affect Disord. 2020; 266:366-373.

PMID: 32056900 PMC: 7103559. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.156.

Health-care needs of older women prisoners: Perspectives of the health-care workers who care for them.

Barry L, Adams K, Zaugg D, Noujaim D J Women Aging. 2019; 32(2):183-202.

PMID: 30943874 PMC: 6776728. DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2019.1593771.

The determinants of individual health care expenditures in prison: evidence from Switzerland.

Moschetti K, Zabrodina V, Wangmo T, Holly A, Wasserfallen J, Elger B BMC Health Serv Res. 2018; 18(1):160.

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