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STATUS REPORT ON ELDERLY INMATES

NCJ Number
144319
Date Published
1993
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This report presents data on the numbers and characteristics of inmates over age 50 in Florida's prisons and compares them with national data.
Abstract
Florida had 895 older inmates in 1982 and 2,432 in 1992, an increase from 3.4 percent to 5 percent of the total inmate population. The characteristics of Florida's older inmates are similar to those nationally. Older inmates are serving longer sentences than other prisoners. They are also more often committed to prison for more serious crimes than their younger counterparts. The most common offenses involve murder, sex offenses, and drugs. Older inmates have significant management and fiscal impacts on corrections. Although they have fewer discipline problems than younger inmates, they often experience chronic health problems, drug abuse, vulnerability to victimization by younger inmates, lack of interest in inmate programs, a lack of financial resources, a lack of family members able to contribute financially, and many other problems. Among their needs are a small community facility or special housing units for assignment based mainly on age or chronic health problems, improved information on transitional assistance for elderly inmates returning to the community, increased use of citizen volunteers, correctional personnel training regarding elderly inmates, and funding for research and programming for elderly inmates. Tables and appended summaries of legislation and a report on older inmates in State and Federal prisons