Prison Population The Elderly - Essay Example

Prison Population The Elderly The purpose of this paper is to study the dramatic increase in the elderly demographic of the prison population. It is the authors intention to provide an understanding of how this sector of prisoners is viewed by society in general and whether there are any special provisions for these people within these institutions and, if so, what they are. To assist with this an example will be studied. The research undertaken will provide the conclusion as to why the elderly prison population is increasing and enable us to highlight recommendations as to their treatment. Prison Population The Elderly The Florida Corrections Commission (Robbie Bouplon 2000) estimates that the numbers of elderly prisoners within the state will rise by the year 2010 to just over nine and a half thousand, or around 8.2% of the inmate population (see table 1-E). This would mean an increase of over five thousand persons, based on their actual figures for 1998, and the situation is set to get worse. What is causing this dramatic increase in this sector of the prison population and what special services does the state provide for them? From the research into these questions this report makes recommendations regarding what further actions should be considered in order to address this issue. In the first instance we first need to define elderly in prison terms. In the Florida report they define this portion of the prison population as being over 50, although their analysis does provide date for a range of ages from that age. Of the figure indicated in the opening paragraph above, fifty eight percent of the elderly inmates are first time offenders, with just over half of those being incarcerated for terms of twenty years, life or natural life. At the time of the report seventy two men within that group were on death row, over sixteen percent were convicted of their crimes when they were over fifty. Causes With most national research and studies agreeing with the findings of the FCC regarding elderly prison inmates, one has to look at the underlying causes for this situation. Many analysts are concluding that the “Three Strikes” legislation of 1999, together with other tough sentencing legislation, has been responsible for a significant element of the elderly inmates and will have an increasing impact in the future. Under the conditions set within these laws, people are being incarcerated to serve lengthy terms for what, in other countries, would be considered to be petty crimes. In addition to this one can add the problems of the changing demographics of the adult population. All forecasts are showing that the elderly population is set to rise over the next two decades or more. There is no doubt that the changes within these demographic changes will apply equally to the prison population, resulting in an increase in the numbers of elderly inmates that the authorities will need to cater for. Even if one could address the forgoing causes, there are still issues that would preclude a significant reduction in elderly prisoners. Many States are looking at the question of early parole as an alternative. However, lack of alternative facilities creates difficulties for such a move. As Tom Watson (1996) in his report revealed, prison wardens are experiencing reluctance amongst in the private sector to take on elderly paroled inmates. Whilst this may or may not be understandable, it means that those prisoners are denied parole under State law, which says that parole cannot be granted unless the prospective parolee has a place to go. The other issue is politics, at local, State and National level. Nationally, having recently introduced legislation as described previously, the politicians are reluctant to say they have got it wrong. There is similar reluctance at other political levels. As one professor from Carnegie observed, “I do have the sense that everyone wants to avoid being the guy who makes the call. No one wants to take the rap for releasing these people." (Associated Press 2005). This supports the projections of organisations such as the FCC. Others, including Charlie Grist, Florida’s Attorney General, do not believe these inmates deserve to be treated differently from other prisoners, pointing out that many have committed atrocious crimes, Sara Olkon (2004) Services provided The level of services provided for elderly prison inmates vary from State to State as has been indicated in the FCC report(2000). Some, like Alabama and Indiana, have specialist units within which these people are housed. Others have specialist health and geriatric units. However many States can do little more than create special sections within their existing facilities to deal with this sector of the prison population. In many areas, specialist units are in the process of being constructed to cater for this need. Geriatrics prisoners also require a lot more looking after than other prisoners, particularly if they have mental or physical problems. They made need additional supervision, physiotherapy, and other specialist activities in order to ensure good health. The difficulty that most of the institutions are facing is that this situation is putting more pressure onto those who run the institutions and their staff. Historically, prison warders have not needed to be trained in anything but the basic first-aid and health and safety issues. It has not been part of their remit to become involved with such ailments as dementia, strokes and other afflictions that predominantly affect the elderly. Neither are they qualified to detect problems such as depression brought about by long term incarceration. This has meant that employee training programs have needed to be introduced to rectify this position and, in some cases resulted in a different level of applicant being sought for these positions. Cost Resulting from the provision of additional services, all of the institutions have found themselves faced with the problem of cost and funding. This financial problem is not solely restricted to the penal systems either. As George Bryjak (2004) stated, “"Cellblock seniors" present unique problems for prison officials and staggering economic costs for the larger society.” In a national environment which dislikes “tax increases”, this presents the authorities with an enigma. How does one fund the needs of this sector of the prison inmates. The Associated Press has reported that, in Somerset County, the authorities estimate that the annual cost of keeping one elderly inmate is over sixty thousand dollars, approaching three times the cost of other prisoners. In this case the County converted a State Mental hospital to a geriatric prison. Other research has suggested that the cost is much higher. Cross referencing these figures to the numbers of elderly prisoners in Florida, in this State alone, the annual cost amounts to approaching $300 million. Example Case In addition to the financial cost, one has to take into account the affect on the individuals themselves, as this is likely to impact upon financial resources at a later date. Sara Olkon (2004), in her Miami newspaper article, spoke to a number of geriatric inmates, including Jimmie Lee Grant and Bobby Doyle, inmates of Florida’s Reiford institution. Both of these inmates tell a similar story. Grant, serving a 214 year life sentence, suffers with hip problems and has generally given up on life. He openly says “I’ve got everything wrong with me.” Doyle, who is also aware that he will never be freed, comments highlight how easy it is for the older inmate to suffer from depression when he says “It kind of takes away your incentive. You become vegetative. One foot in front of the other.” Conclusion From our research, it is obvious that there the prison institutions are facing a crisis when it comes to the elderly inmate population. This is exacerbated by the way in which these long term sentences also drive many to the edge of despair, or beyond, as they face a future without any hope at all. Whilst it appreciated that such persons should pay the price for the crimes they have committed, and that in the case of the most extreme crimes nothing can repair the damage they have done to thousands of lives, we also need to treat people humanly. It is as Ronald Aday (2002) writes, “we need to use some common sense. How much punishment is enough?” It is the authors opinion that these elderly inmates should be considered for parole with a more compassionate eye. Rather than try to adjust the prison institutions to cope with such people, it is our belief that funds would be better spent on smaller separate units that can provide the health care and welfare that these people need, in addition to enabling them to lead a more normal lifestyle for the last few years of their lives. In addition, with such units, such people could be allowed to integrate easier with members of their family and friends. References Boulpon, Robert (2000). 1999 Annual Report. Florida Corrections Commission Olkon, Sara (2004). Older inmates grouped in own prison. Miami Herald. Aday, Ronald. H. (2002). Aging Prisoners: Crisis in American Corrections. Greenwood Press. US. Bryjak, George, J. (2004). Cellblock Seniors. The San-Diego Union Tribune. Watson, Tom (1995). Prisons’ Graying Inmates Exact a Price. USA Today. Final Edition – News – Friday through Saturday. The Associated Press. (2005) Elderly Prison Population Growing, Becoming More Costly. Retrieved 4 October 2006 from www.documentarymagazine.com Table 1-E Projection of Elder (50+ Years) Inmate Population In Florida From June 1999 to June 2010 Year Month Total Projected Prison Population* (CJEC: 4/13/99) Projected Elder (50+ Years) Population (DC) Percent of Population Actuals: 1990 June 42,733 1,991 4.66% 1991 June 46,233 2,181 4.72% 1992 June 47,012 2,336 4.97% 1993 June 50,603 2,610 5.16% 1994 June 56,052 2,946 5.26% 1995 June 61,992 3,280 5.29% 1996 June 64,333 3,672 5.71% 1997 June 64,713 4,176 6.45% 1998 June 66,280 4,588 6.92% Projected: 1999 June 68,942 5,078 7.37% 2000 June 72,792 5,414 7.44% 2001 June 75,288 5,826 7.74% 2002 June 78,422 6,239 7.96% 2003 June 82,530 6,652 8.06% 2004 June 86,161 7,065 8.20% 2005 June 86,161 7,477 7.37% 2006 June 86,161 7,890 7.44% 2007 June 86,161 8,303 7.74% 2008 June 86,161 8,716 7.96% 2009 June 86,161 9,128 8.06% 2010 June 86,161 9,541 8.20% * CJEC projections were only available to June 2004 Source: Bureau of Research and Data Analysis, Florida Department of Corrections, June 1999 Read More