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Abstract: 

The fastest-growing population in the U.S. prison system is senior citizens. According to Human Rights Watch, in a recently released 104-page report, these prisoners are at risk of abuse not only because they tend to be weaker than younger prisoners, but because prison officials have problems providing them with appropriate housing and medical care. Human Rights Watch’s recommendation is that sentencing policies should be revised to allow the release of prisoners who do not represent a threat to the public. In one program, in California, six prisoners serving life sentences are working as “Gold Coats” providing hands-on personal care for 40 inmates with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Keywords: senior citizens in prison’ “Gold Coats”

Affiliations:  1: Staff Editor.