Conditions Inside

Aging brings challenges that correctional facilities are not designed for and correctional staff are not trained to identify or respond to. Mobility challenges and cognitive impairments as well as chronic health conditions are increasingly common among an aging incarcerated population. The results are inhumane conditions, preventable death, and untenable costs.

We advocate for prison and jail conditions equal to community standards, including:

• Staff training in identifying age-related syndromes and preventing exploitation and abuse
• Geriatric medical care
• Structural modifications to minimize the risk of falls and accommodate mobility challenges
• Geriatric assessments including vision, hearing, and dementia screening
• The ability to “retire” from work mandates
• Advanced care planning