Imprisoned Elders: The Experience Of One Institution

Wilson, Deborah G.; Vito, Gennaro F.

doi:10.1177/088740348600100403

Cited by 10 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…In Goetting's (1984a) study, approximately three fourths (74%) were employed prior to incarceration, and the mean completed education level was seventh grade. Wilson and Vito (1986) also found that more than two thirds of the inmates in their sample (from one Kentucky institution) reported less than a high school education. Conversely, there was a greater proportion of high school graduates in studies conducted by Fry (1987) (at one California facility) and by Kratcoski and Babb (1990).…”

Section: Older Inmate Demographicsmentioning

confidence: 85%

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Revisiting the Literature on Prisoners who are Older: Are we Wiser?

Lemieux¹,

Dyeson²,

Castiglione

2002

The Prison Journal

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This article critically reviews the scholarly literature that describes older U.S. inmates and that examines correctional responses to this subpopulation of incarcerated offenders. This review indicates that the number of incarcerated men and women who are older is increasing. Older offenders are primarily incarcerated for violent offenses, and many report one or more chronic health conditions. Health care management is the most prevalent theme in the current literature, and there is tremendous variation in how jurisdictions accommodate older inmates. This review of the literature reveals major gaps in our scientific understanding of older inmates, and it concludes with recommendations for policy- and practice-relevant research.

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Section: Older Inmate Demographicsmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Fewer than half of Federal Bureau of Prisons inmates (n = 2,494, 45%) reported a prior commitment (Kratcoski & Pownall, 1989). Older inmates with criminal justice histories were also prevalent in state-level descriptive studies (Faiver, 1997;Teller & Howell, 1981;Walsh, 1989;Wilson & Vito, 1986).…”

Section: Offenses Committed By Incarcerated Older Offendersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revisiting the Literature on Prisoners who are Older: Are we Wiser?

Lemieux¹,

Dyeson²,

Castiglione

2002

The Prison Journal

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“…The simple "fear of victimization" by younger inmates is also extremely prevalent among elderly inmates. Wilson and Vito (1986) found that inmates housed in a geriatric unit felt vulnerable simply because the most dangerous and unpredictable inmates were held in close proximity.…”

Section: Isolation and Social Needsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Older and Geriatric Offenders: Critical Issues for the 21st Century

Aday¹,

Krabill²

2013

Special Needs Offenders in Correctional Institutions

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indicate these countries, along with the United States, are all grappling with nearly identical issues associated with an aging prison population. Without timely attention to the experiences of geriatric offenders, officials globally will undeniably be presented with a crisis that, in return, would negatively impact all aspects of the correctional system. Despite the fact that nations around the globe are confronted with the dilemma of managing increasingly large numbers of older offenders, prisons have been slow to respond to the social, physical, and mental health needs of this special subgroup of inmates. Although a number of countries have commissioned studies to examine and make policy recommendations, the body of knowledge available on forecasting future policies for aging prisoners remains limited (Sterns, Lax, Sed, Keohane, & Sterns, 2008.) Correctional officials are now realizing the enormity of their responsibilities for addressing age-related needs in the areas of health, safety, protection, recreation, and socialization (Aday, 2003). The primary aim of this chapter will provide a voice to aging prisoners' experiences and highlight approaches for addressing these concerns. In the process, we will identify characteristics officials use in defining older offenders, distinguish among types of elderly offenders, and discuss how various medical and mental health problems, left unaddressed, negatively affect institutional adjustment. Looking to the future, we will shed light on concerns such as major advantages of age-segregated housing, the growing need for assisted living, nursing home or hospice units-as well as the demand for compassionate release, medical parole, and community-based alternatives to incarceration. Finally, consideration will be given to examining the impact the challenges associated with managing the geriatric prison population today will have on sentencing practices in the 21st century.

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“…Older prisoners average three serious health problems, which may include chronic health conditions and substance abuse or dependence problems (Chaiklin & Fultz, 1985; Corrections Today, 1990; Kerbs, 2000a; Marquart, Merianos, & Doucet, 2000; Wilson & Vito, 1986). In a recently published integrative review of health-related research on older prisoners, Loeb and AbuDagga (2006) noted that the most commonly reported health problems included arthritis, back problems, cardiovascular diseases, endocrine disorders, psychiatric conditions, respiratory diseases, sensory deficits (vision and hearing problems), and substance abuse problems.…”

Section: Cost Savings With Centralized Health Carementioning

confidence: 99%

A Commentary on Age Segregation for Older Prisoners

Kerbs

Jolley

2008

Criminal Justice Review

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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.

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Imprisoned Elders: The Experience Of One Institution

Cited by 10 publications

References 9 publications

Revisiting the Literature on Prisoners who are Older: Are we Wiser?

Revisiting the Literature on Prisoners who are Older: Are we Wiser?

Older and Geriatric Offenders: Critical Issues for the 21st Century

A Commentary on Age Segregation for Older Prisoners

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