Are Elderly Inmates the Cause For Overcrowded Prisons?

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system weakens such as arthritis, prostate problems, diabetes, strokes, heart attacks, and different types of cancer. Because of the aging inmate population, healthcare expenses have increased. In 2001, the United States spent a total of $3.3 billion on medical care in prisons. This costly amount has a great deal to do with the amount of medical care they have to give elderly prisoners (Clear 257).
Along with medical care expenses, the elderly inmates must be provided with accommodations such as having bars throughout the prison so they have something to hold on to if needed while they shower or are in their cells. They also are given the bottom bunk in cells for easier mobility. Some prisons even have separate wings that they assign the elderly to so that they can better accommodate them. They also may be assigned to a separate wing so that they are away from the prisoners who are more fit and looking to cause problems (Clear 257).
Not only must the elderly prisoners ...

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and several disadvantages. As one gets older, they begin to have more health problems and a less physically fit than someone of a younger age. Because of the strict rules in prisons, it is hard for an elderly person to be provided with every accommodation that may receive if they were not incarcerated. If someone becomes handicap and is assigned to a wheelchair, then his accessibility decreases (Crawley 32).
If another older inmate tries to engage in a fight with this person, his chances of getting away or protecting himself are not likely. The elderly that have mobility issues are also left out of recreation sports (Crawley 32). Another disadvantage that an elderly ...

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