Aging Behind Bars: Health Care for Older Female Inmates

Abstract

As the numbers of women in prison have increased, so have the number of older women behind bars. These older women present unique problems for institutions trying to meet their health care needs. We report findings from our national pilot study of federal and state prisons for women. Prisons report basic services for physical and mental health care, and most report having hospice services. However, those that house larger percentages or that expect to house larger percentages of older prisoners do not significantly differ in their approaches to assessing and providing health care from their counterparts. By failing to anticipate the increase in older women, prisons may be failing to provide for many of the health needs of this vulnerable population.

Aging in Correctional Custody: Setting a Policy Agenda for Older Prisoner Health Care

“…6 At the same time, the incarceration rate has increased at a faster rate among women aged 55 years or older than among younger women. 39 Currently, women account for 5% of the total prison population aged 55 years or older. 6 Although there are still far fewer female than male prisoners, these demographic trends have important implications for the criminal justice health care system.…”

“…However, probably because women have historically composed only a minority of prisoners, and because older women are but a small, if growing, subset of the female prison population, a paucity of literature exists on the health of older women prisoners. 17,39 …”

Comparing Incarcerated and Community-Dwelling Older Men's Health

“…As well, prisoners were concomitantly participating in fewer health-promotion behaviors and attending fewer health programs as compared to the community residents. Of particular concern is the lack of awareness of program availability (which may partly reflect a shortage or absence of health programs), because it is the most frequently reported barrier and because it suggests that the special programmatic needs of older inmates are often left unmet (see also Aday, 1994;Marquart et al, 2000;Reviere & Young, 2004). Improved communication within the prison about available programming is clearly needed.…”

Health-related research on older inmates: An integrative review

“…Specifically, in a national survey of women's state and federal prison administrators, 70% of the 65 respondents reported having disabled inmates but only 4 met standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (Department of Justice, 1994). Women's prisons with at least 10% older inmates had no significant differences in services for either chronic conditions or mental health care from prisons with fewer older women (Reviere & Young, 2004). Aday's (1994b) national survey of prison health administrators indicated the availability of special geriatric facilities or separate housing of older inmates, but only three states reported offering specific programming for older inmates (Alabama, New Jersey, and North Carolina).…”