Old Behind Bars

The Aging Prison Population in the United States

Summary

Recommendations

To State and Federal Governments

To State and Federal Corrections Officials

Methodology

I. Older Prisoners

How Many Older Prisoners?

II. Why the Aging Prison Population?

Longer Time in Prison, Especially for Violent Crimes

Sentences for Violent Crimes

Life Sentences

Entering Prison at an Older Age

Federal Prisoners

III. Conditions of Confinement

Housing for the Elderly

Segregating the Older from the Younger?

Victimization

Prison Rules

Prison Staff and the Elderly

Programs, Recreation, and Work

IV. Aging Bodies, Soaring Costs

Age and Infirmity

Medical Expenditures for Older Inmates

Reimbursement for Medical Costs

V. Release from Prison, Dying in Prison

Release

Release and Public Safety

Death

VI. When is Imprisonment No Longer Justified?

Disproportionality and the Purposes of Punishment

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

Appendix: Additional Tables