America's greying prison population

03/02/2012

Human Rights Watch reports that in the United States the number of prisoners aged 65 or older grew at an astonishing 94 times the rate of the overall prison population between 2007 and 2010. Long sentences mean that many current prisoners will not leave prison until they become extremely old, if at all. Elderly prisoners often cannot readily climb stairs, haul themselves to the top bunk, or walk long distances to dining halls. They are more likely to suffer from incontinence, dementia, or chronic – and sometimes terminal – illnesses, and to need special treatment. Learn more>

3 February 2012