Aging Prisoners 
And as the title of their article depicts, there is a growing cost within this subpopulation of inmates. McKillop 
and Boucher (2018) relay that the cost of this group of inmates can be upwards of three times the cost of the 
normal inmate (30k to 100k per inmate). 
2 
Beyond just the cost of these inmates, a more philosophical question has risen, in regards to how to treat 
prisoners as they enter their last phase in life. Some have articulated for compassionate releases for individuals 
that are entering hospice care or in need of assisted living conditions. Other articulate that this is unfair to put 
the burden on the inmate, as they have been incarcerated for long periods of time and have few self-support 
options available. In a powerful documentary on this matter, Edgar Barens details these issues. Information 
about this film, The Prison Terminal (2013), can be seen here: https://www.prisonterminal.com/. 
Overcrowding 
These issues and others have all contributed to the rising correctional population in the United States. It 
is estimated that we have over 8 million people in correctional control, and that number does not seem to 
be subsiding. Yes, there are reductions in certain areas, such as a decline in the prison population in the last 
2. 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 
ALISON S. BURKE, DAVID CARTER, BRIAN FEDOREK, TIFFANY MOREY, LORE RUTZ-BURRI, AND SHANELL
SANCHEZ
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