9.15. Current Issues in Corrections: Aging and Overcrowding 
DAVID CARTER 
One of the side effects of lengthier sentences is that: the individuals in prison get older, in prison. Thus, the 
amounts of individuals in prisons over 55 years old has dramatically increased. As McKillop and Boucher 
(2018) relate in the graphic below, based on BJS data, there has been a 280% increase in prisoners, age 55 
and older. 
1 
Aging Prisoners 
1. McKillop, M., & Boucher, A. (2018). Aging prison populations drive up costs. Older individuals have more chronic illnesses and other 
ailments that necessitate greater spending. Available at: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2018/02/20/aging-
prison-populations-drive-up-costs 
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