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"Aging Prisoners, Increasing Costs, and Geriatric Release"

By Douglas A. Berman

The title of this post is the subtitle of this terrific and timely new publication from the Center on Sentencing and Corrections at the Vera Institue of Justice. Here is how the Center summarizes the piece (which is authored by Tina Chui): Correctional facilities throughout the United States are home to a growing number of older adults with extensive, costly medical needs. This report examines statutes related to the early release of geriatric inmates in 15 states and the District of Columbia and concludes that these provisions are rarely used, despite the potential of reduced costs at minimal risk to public safety. The author identifies factors that help explain the discrepancy and provides recommendations for addressing it. Here is part of the piece's executive summary: This report is based upon a statutory review of geriatric release provisions, including some medical release practices that specifically refer to elderly inmates...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on April 06, 2010 (boomark / email).