AGING OUT IN PRISON Age Distribution of the Colorado Prison System

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Rodney Sutton
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1 AGING OUT IN PRISON Age Distribution of the Colorado Prison System March 11, 2011 For discussion by the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice 1

2 Elderly Defined Many state correctional systems define a minimum age for elderly a 15 states use 50 years of age 4 states use 60 years of age 2 states use 65 years of age 1 state uses 70 years of age Colorado defines elderly as 65 and unable to care for themselves b a Vera Institute of Justice (2010). It s About Time: Aging Prisoners, Increasing Costs, and Geriatric Release. b Defined in C.R.S (7.5)(a)(II) Special Needs Offender. 2

3 What is an Elderly Offender? Contributing Factors Substance abuse Improper diets Lack of adequate health care Poor lifestyle choices Stress of incarceration Lack of emotional support Emotional isolation 3

4 National Population Trends From 1990 to 2009, inmates aged 55+ increased by 313% compared to the total population that grew 130% data from American Corrections Association Directory data from Bureau of Justice Statistics. No data for

5 Colorado Population Trends From 1991 to 2009, inmates aged 50+ increased by 720% compared to the total population that grew 208%. Data from Colorado Department of Corrections Annual Statistical Reports FY

6 Colorado New Commitments From 1991 to 2009, new commitments for inmates aged 50+ increased by 423% compared to 159% for total admissions. Data from Colorado Department of Corrections Annual Statistical Reports FY

7 Number of Inmates by Age Group 7

8 Ethnicity There are fewer minorities and more Caucasians among Colorado s aging inmate population. Age Group Caucasian African American Hispanic Other Total < 20 29% 26% 41% 3% 100% % 18% 40% 4% 100% % 19% 34% 4% 100% % 22% 26% 3% 100% % 23% 21% 3% 100% % 13% 23% 3% 100% % 14% 23% 1% 100% Source: CDOC June 30, 2010, inmate population. 8

9 Admission Type Older inmates are more likely to be a court commitment than a parole return that is, they are less likely to have paroled and returned to prison than younger inmates. Age Range New Commitment Parole Return Other Total <50 72% 26% 2% 100% % 20% 2% 100% % 14% 2% 100% % 9% 3% 100% Source: CDOC June 30, 2010, inmate population. 9

10 Most Serious Offense CCJJ 3 / 11 / 11 57% of Colorado inmates currently aged 50+ committed a class 1, 2, or 3 felony compared to 39% of inmates currently < 50. Over time, those committing more serious offenses comprise a larger proportion of each age cohort as inmates committing less serious offenses within the cohort are paroled or discharge their sentence. Current Age Group Felony Class Total < 20 1% 9% 20% 43% 23% 5% 100% % 6% 24% 44% 20% 4% 100% % 9% 29% 39% 15% 5% 100% % 9% 32% 36% 14% 6% 100% % 12% 35% 30% 12% 4% 100% % 13% 43% 24% 7% 3% 100% % 13% 44% 21% 7% 2% 100% Source: CDOC June 30, 2010, inmate population. 10

Type of Crimes CCJJ 3 / 11 / 11 The relative proportion of inmates incarcerated for murder/ homicide, kidnapping, and sexual assault is larger in the 50+ group due to the longer sentences served for

11 Type of Crimes CCJJ 3 / 11 / 11 The relative proportion of inmates incarcerated for murder/ homicide, kidnapping, and sexual assault is larger in the 50+ group due to the longer sentences served for these serious offenses. < Murder/Homicide 9% 17% Kidnapping 2% 4% Sexual Assault 9% 24% Assault/Menacing 14% 9% Aggravated Robbery/Robbery 7% 5% Burglary/Theft/MV Theft 18% 14% Forgery/Fraud/ID Theft 4% 2% Drug Offenses 19% 14% Escape/Contraband 5% 3% Other 12% 9% Source: CDOC June 30, 2010, inmate population. 11

12 Overlapping Populations It is important to note that three prison populations overlap considerably: Inmates over 55 have an average of 3 chronic conditions (Journal of American Medical Association) Elderly Terminally Ill Chronically Ill 12

13 Medical Disorders Among elderly inmates nationwide, the most common chronic illnesses include: Heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic obstructive lung disease Other impairments that accompany the normal aging process: Loss of vision, impaired hearing, sleep disturbances, incontinence, mental confusion (or dementia), gastrointestinal disorders, dental work Source: National Institute of Corrections (2004). Correctional Health Care: Addressing the Needs of Elderly, Chronically Ill, and Terminally Ill Inmates. 13

14 Medical Needs of Elderly 38% of Colorado inmates aged 50+ have significant medical needs (3-5) compared to 12% of inmates < 50 Medical Needs Level Age Group None Mild/Minor Moderate Moderately Severe Severe Total < 20 68% 26% 6% 0% 0% 100% % 32% 6% 1% 0% 100% % 46% 9% 2% 0% 100% % 58% 16% 4% 0% 100% % 58% 23% 8% 1% 100% % 42% 37% 15% 2% 100% 70+ 1% 27% 39% 30% 3% 100% Source: CDOC June 30, 2010, inmate population. 14

15 Management Challenges Additional costs for medical care and associated needs (ie, transportation, assistive devices) Medical expenses are estimated to be approximately 3 times higher for each elderly inmate than for other inmates a Managing disabilities within facilities Increased mental health needs Managing housing assignments Preventing victimization a Beiser, V. (1991). Prisoners or Pensioners? Nation 268,

16 Preparing for Reentry Prisoners over 50 years of age face major challenges when released from prison: Health problems and ongoing medical care Financial concerns and employability Absence of social support system Illicit drug and alcohol use risks Mental health deficits Lack of appropriate housing Transportation 16

17 Colorado Recidivism by Age Group CCJJ 3 / 11 / 11 and Present Offense 17

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