Aging Prisoner Population (Research Paper Sample)

Analysis of the growing issue of the aging prisoner population as discussed in Fault Lines: Dying Inside: Elderly in Prison.
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Analysis of the growing issue of the aging prisoner population as discussed in Fault Lines: Dying Inside: Elderly in prison.
Summary of growing dilemma
In the U.S., an emerging issue rests on the case of the ageing population in various prisons around the country. Today, a considerable part of the population in prison consists of the elderly, those above 35 years of age (youtube.com, nd). The country’s justice system faces a key challenge of looking after this category of prisoners given the long sentences handed out many years ago. In certain cases, the elderly community in prison has been housed in special prisons where only this category of individuals is placed. In view of financial constraints, care for the elderly prisoners translates to an overwhelming expenditure on the part of the government. Evidently, statistics point to close estimates of $70, 000 per year, which is two to three times higher than the same for the younger prisoners (youtube.com, nd). The documentary shows an alarming growth of 75% in the last decade as pertains to elderly prisoners over 35 years old. Some cases even depict prisoners having served jail for different multiple times. Thousands of prisoners die in prison due to a number of issues related to health. For instance, Lewis is a young prisoner heading to the elderly stage and suffering from kidney cancer (youtube.com, nd). For critics, the idea of human value becomes a subject of consideration as they cite the need for freedom for the elderly prisoner suffering in various prisons.
Aging prisoner population and correctional management
In today’s civilized world, the need to release prisoners into the community to contribute to the society at large becomes important. The corrections departments put the life of the elderly prisoner at risk due to the health problems common with individuals within that age bracket (youtube.com, nd). For the elderly prisoner serving a significant amount of time at the prison, the value of human dignity is ignored. On this note, life become unbearable, unsatisfactory and deprives the individual a chance for redemption. While prisoners serve in a responsibility call for wrings committed, the challenge of keeping and caring for such prisoners even brings greater constraints than having better care in the community. Health issues among these prisoners become profound leading to high government expenditure, with only insufficient care being provided (youtube.com, nd). In extreme cases, the insignificant number of health care providers prompts concerned correctional facilities to utilize the younger population of prisoners to perform the task of looking after the elderly inmates. Solutions
The element of human life ought to be considered in the process of developing a correctional framework for elderly prisoners (youtube.com, nd). First, concerned prisons should provide a home-like environment, which places the value of human life at the forefront. In this regard, due care should be provided in terms of healthy eating, proper medication, and availability of basic amenities, such as water and clean sleeping conditions. With proper care comes the need for employment of individuals solely responsible for the elderly population in prisons. Such strategy ensures that government expenditure become appropriated for in advance, lowering the expenses in the end (youtube.com, nd). Secondly, the correctional system faces a huge task of developing enhanced practices that meet the needs of both prisoners and those individuals demanding for justice. To create harmony in these contrasting demands, a strong framework exists where both parties come into agreement to have an adjustment in the period being served in order to bring justice to both ends. In this case, the nature of freedom for the elderly prisoner becomes communicated effectively so that both parties (offender and victim).
Positive impacts of solution
With improved care of the elderly prisoner, the correctional system faces an advantage of delegating duties effectively as there are responsible members whose role is to take care of such individuals. Resultantly, cases of poor health and other basic conditions become reduced if not eliminated, thus, lowering the government expenditure on the elderly in prisons across the nation. Further, introduction of special programs that aim at offering freedom for the elderly prisoners becomes essential as they create value for concerned individuals (youtube.com, nd). Here, justice remains a basic right for everyone, and clear communication depicts potential redemption for criminals, coupled with a mutual consent that also leaves the victim satisfied ...