Aging Elderly Inmate Population within the Correctional System - Coursework Example

Aging Offenders: the Issues and Concerns Introduction Communities have struggled since the beginning of society to decide how best to deal with issues of lawbreakers and dangerous individuals who are a threat to others. Building prisons became the international solution for isolating the threats and protecting the public. Presently, a potential issue has been identified that appears to be becoming a serious concern. What is to be done about the “aging” or “graying” elderly inmate population within the correctional system? These prisoners are, often, in danger from other inmates. The facilities are not equipped to handle the needs of aging inmates; nor are they often prepared for the health conditions that come with them. Finding a solution to this problem is difficult because some require financial investments, and others bring serious ethical issues and controversial debate. Description In order to weigh this issue at hand it is important and necessary to understand what an aging prisoner is and what it mean to be a “graying” inmate. The age limits as to who is an aging prisoner differs in varying countries, but the average age is approximately 50. This may seem young; however, experts explain that incarcerated individuals are about 10 years older than their chronological age due to their time in the system. Aging inmates, also, are prone to the same health problems that are associated with aging. As the numbers of these inmates grow more and more penitentiaries are less and less prepared to meet those needs. In one facility, the Bath Institute, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, there are more than a third of the inmates are over the age of 50. (Weinreb, 2011) Where did such a huge number of aging nmates originate? It is theorized that the primary cause of the increase is due to stricter mandatory minimum sentencing requirements that Canada had adopted. These requirements led to more incarcerated prisoners and longer overall sentences. (Bracken) Many may be considered to be an aging inmate before they are even up for their first option for parole under the guidelines of the stricter mandatory sentencing. These inmates face multiple issues involving their safety, health and security in a system that was not designed to accommodate an aging population. Issues The first major issue to be considered when dealing with the topic of aging inmates is to acknowledge the level of danger they are in from other inmates. Prison is not a pleasant place; it is not supposed to be. It is a place of punishment and loss of privileges. Inside prisons fights and outbursts of violence are common and not surprising. However, aging inmates become targets for younger, often healthier, inmates who can take full advantage of a disadvantaged opponent. (Weinreb, 2011) The second major safety concern involves those inmates who because of age or illness do have the mobility that they once had. Being able to maneuver in an environment, like a prison, could make some areas of the facility less accessible to them. The correctional system is tremendously unprepared for a large physically dependent number of aging inmates. Despite the potential needs of the correctional system it is difficult to gain a lot of support and funding to improve the quality of life for aging prisoners when there are so many other social issues of consequence to non-incarcerated individuals. Solutions Although a number of solutions have been debated, as yet, a definitive solution has yet to be completely decided upon or fully implemented. In 2006 Canada placed initiatives to increase the care available at facilities provided to aging inmates, as well as, employ physicians with more knowledge of the health needs of aging adults. However, unfortunately, the initiative has, “never seen the light of day.” (Crawford, 2012) There are three primary solutions that are logical and feasible, but each one, also, has opponents that argue against them. The first option is segregation, removing the older inmate population from the younger inmates. This would prevent them from so easily becoming victims of violence. It would, also, allow guards to be able to more efficiently monitor their safety without the threat of the looming “general population.” It would require renovation of an area that would then be able to handle, both, the needs of aging inmates, and those with geriatric needs, but those with “end of life” hospice needs as well. Opponents to this plan believe that accommodating the needs of prisoners is to forget the reason that they were incarcerated to begin with. (Rudolf, 2012) The potential solution to the issue of the aging inmate population has to do with the suggested option of providing separate facilities all together. This would provide a place to relocate aging inmates, but, also, a direct location for new inmates who are already considered “aging” before they were convicted. These facilities would, also, like the segregation option, would be much well-equipped and better staffed to meet the needs of aging inmate patients. Presently, there is one such location in the United States. It is an inmate retirement community called “Tru Grit,” which houses aging male inmates between the ages of 55 to 86. Unlike other prison programs, “Tru Grit” does not focus on retraining and gaining skills to put to use upon release, they focus on less physical and more age appropriate activities. Opponents to this suggestion claim that the “retirement community” mentality is hardly harsh enough for inmates who have committed truly serious and heinous crimes. (Crawford, 2012) There are other opponents who question the financial burdens, as well. Prisons are costly government expenditure. Spending more money on prison facilities is a waste and misuse of taxpayer monies.(Rudolf, 2012) The last, and easily most controversial, potential solution to this issue is an early release program for certain inmates. It could be part of a more open good behavior release program for all eligible inmates; however, it would be primarily designed for aging inmates. The opportunity would be reserved for inmates who were not convicted of violent crimes or for prisoners whom, because of their health and limitation are incapable of reoffending. This would not only be beneficial to the aging inmates, but it would help curb the aging population, but the overall overcrowding issues within prison, as well. Opponents argue the strongest against this solution because they feel that these prisoners would no longer be paying for their crimes. Ultimately, they feel that this solution would amount to a pardon, which they may not deserve. (Rudolf, 2012) Conclusion It has become quite apparent that the issue of “graying inmates” is a serious one. It, also, is abundantly obvious that a solution must be agreed upon before the cost of not finding one becomes too high. Presently, Canada is still working to reform its corrections system in order to accommodate for these inmates, however, as yet no final plan has been implemented. Given the different option available, perhaps there is no single appropriate solution. ("Backgrounder 38th annual," 2011) Maybe attempting a combination of these options, dependent upon the inmates, would be more efficient. Also, early release, although controversial, may eliminate the need for the correctional facilities to require expensive renovations, the necessity to build more facilities, and broadened available health accommodations. We are all very much aware that the people incarcerated are usually there legitimately for crimes that they have committed and deservedly so. They have, one way or another, shown a disregard for the rights, property, or physical being of someone else. The question becomes, has society fallen so far that it is acceptable to show the same behavior towards them? Yes, these aging inmates are, in fact, guilty of criminal behavior, but they are, also human beings deserving of some accommodation and respect. References Backgrounder 38th annual report to parliament summary of issues and challenges facing older and aging offenders in federal custody. (2011, November 1). Retrieved from http://www.oci-bec.gc.ca/comm/presentations/presentationsAR-RA0911-OldOff-eng.aspx Bracken, D. (n.d.). Older offenders & criminal justice: Sentencing policy, community sentences, & female older offenders. Manuscript submitted for publication, University of Manitoba- Social Work, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manatoba, Canada. Retrieved from umanitoba.ca/centres/aging/media/Bracken.ppt Crawford, A. (2012, March 19). Canada urged to segregate elderly prisoners. CBC News-World. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/03/19/f-crawford-aging-inmates.html Rudolf, J. (2012, June 16). Elderly inmate population soared 1,300 percent since 1980s: Report. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/13/elderly-inmate-population-soars_n_1594793.html Weinreb, A. (2011, November 2). Canada's prisons not prepared for aging inmate population. Retrieved from http://suite101.com/article/canadas-prisons-not-prepared-for-aging-inmate-population-a395265 Read More