Aging Inmates: Issues Surrounding Health Care, End-of-Life and Dying in Prison

Abstract

Much like the US population in general, the prison population is aging rapidly raising concerns about health care, end-of-life planning, and dying in prison. The impact of aging is amplified within the prison system. Typically, the health status of inmates in their 50’s is physiologically similar to community-dwelling individuals in their 70’s, making 55 old by prison standards.