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Abstract: 

The aging offender presents unique challenges for corrections facilities, given the “accelerated aging” that occurs among the incarcerated, and prisons, jails and community corrections facilities are not usually equipped to deal with the healthcare needs of this population. Old sentencing guidelines have increased the numbers of incarcerated aging offenders in prison and have added to a bottleneck in releasing them. Common-sense reform is needed with a review of risk to relieve the burden on correctional systems. Integrating the aging offender back into the community also presents unique challenges, and collaborations among prisons, jails, community corrections, local specialty courts, and health care agencies need to occur to create safe and comprehensive programs upon reentry. Specialized training in geriatrics, mental health, and basic health care for the aged must become a priority for corrections professionals.

Keywords: Aging offender, “accelerated aging,” compassionate release, aging and reentry, specialized staff training

Affiliations:  1: Editor.