Standardizing the Definition of "Older" Inmates

• In Event: Aging Behind Bars and Health-Related Issues

Abstract

The “aging” inmate population is vastly increasing and has become a concern for the department of corrections. However, there is no standard definition on what it means to be “older” in prison. Both correctional facilities and researcher use a variety of different age cut-offs to define “older” inmates. Using different age cut-offs generate a lack of consistency in the research and therefore, makes it difficult to compare and contrast previous research on “older” inmates. This study attempted to find an appropriate age cutoff for the inmate population to identify a standard definition of what constitutes as “older” in the prison setting. In addition to clarifying what “aging” means within research, the authors believe identifying a standard definition could have a number of policy implications for corrections.

Authors

• Rita Augustyn, University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Tusty ten Bensel, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

• Lisa Sample, University of Nebraska at Omaha