Exam 9: Living and Dying in Prison

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Between 1993 and 2016, the number of inmates in the United States who were 55 years of age or older increased significantly. According to reports from various sources including the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), the population of older inmates grew at a much faster rate than the overall prison population. This trend is often highlighted as a reflection of the aging of the prison population in the United States.

Several factors have influenced this trend:

1. **Longer Sentences and Mandatory Minimums**: During the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. saw a significant increase in the use of longer sentences, including life sentences, and the implementation of mandatory minimum sentencing laws. These policies have resulted in individuals spending a larger portion of their lives in prison.

2. **Three Strikes Laws**: Some states enacted "three strikes" laws that mandated life sentences for individuals convicted of a third felony, even if the third offense was not violent. This has contributed to more people growing old in prison.

3. **Aging of the Baby Boomer Generation**: The baby boomer generation, which is generally defined as those born between 1946 and 1964, has been aging into the older adult category. As this large demographic cohort ages, it naturally increases the number of older adults in all segments of society, including prisons.

4. **Reduced Parole Opportunities**: There has been a trend towards limiting parole and increasing parole denials, which means that inmates are less likely to be released before they reach an older age.

5. **Tough on Crime Policies**: The "tough on crime" policies that were popular in the late 20th century led to an increase in incarceration rates, including for older individuals.

6. **Increased Life Expectancy**: General improvements in healthcare and living conditions have led to increased life expectancy, which also means that inmates are living longer and contributing to the rise in the number of older inmates.

7. **Limited Compassionate Release**: Although there are provisions for compassionate release for older or terminally ill inmates, these are not often used, leading to more elderly inmates remaining in prison.

The growth in the number of older inmates has significant implications for the prison system, including increased healthcare costs and the need for specialized facilities and programs to accommodate the needs of older prisoners. It also raises questions about the effectiveness and humanity of keeping aging individuals incarcerated, especially those who no longer pose a significant risk to society.