Hello, kenny2sheds-ga!
The following 2003 Senate Hearing statement contains a list of states
and their facilities (or lack thereof) for geriatric prisoners. I have
listed those states which, as of 2003, had some type of facility for
geriatric prisoners. Excerpts provided in the answer, unless otherwise
noted, are from the senate hearing document referenced below:
"STATEMENT OF PROFESSOR JONATHAN TURLEY - "CALIFORNIA?S AGING PRISON
POPULATION." Before a Joint Hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on
Aging and Long Term Care Senate Committee on Public Safety. Senate
Select Committee on the California Correctional System. February 25,
2003
http://www.senate.ca.gov/ftp/SEN/COMMITTEE/SUB/HHS_AGE/_home/AGING_PRISONERS/TURLEY_TESTIMONY.DOC.
* When possible, I have included links to some of the geriatric
prison units if they are readily available online. Note that many of
the facilities noted below are not named.
ALABAMA
=======
"Alabama has a 200-bed Aged and Infirm Unit in Hamilton, Alabama - a
classic geriatric unit. In Alabama, a contractor for medical services
makes the determination whether an aged or infirm inmate can be housed
with the general population or if Hamilton is the only suitable
facility. At the Hamilton unit, there is a fully trained staff and
resources for handling geriatric prisoners."
ARIZONA
==========
"Arizona maintains a capacity of 70 beds for its elderly inmates.
Forty of those beds are located in an Arizona State Prison Complex in
Florence. The remaining beds are located at the Arizona State Prison
Complex in Tucson."
ARKANSAS
========
"Arkansas treats older and geriatric prisoners as part of its general
provision for chronically infirm or incapacitated inmates. The state
has two special housing areas for the most chronically infirm near its
hospital in Pine Bluff. Likewise, the Jefferson County Correctional
Facility has 80 beds and the Diagnostic Unit has 40. The state is
considering the creation of a single-site geriatric facility."
COLORADO
========
"Colorado provides limited training for security staff on working with
elderly and chronically ill inmates. The state has assisted living
units that house both elderly inmates and others needing special care.
Recently, the state opened a 500-bed state prison at Fort Lyon,
Colorado, for geriatric and mentally ill prisoners. The Colorado DOC
provides specialized medical care for elderly inmates at several
sites, including two facilities for inmates needing moderate
assistance (those chronically or terminally ill)."
Fort Lyon Correctional Facility
http://www.doc.state.co.us/Facilities/FLCF/flcf.htm
CONNECTICUT
===========
"Connecticut maintains the Osborn Correctional Institution in Somers
with 48 beds for elderly inmates."
Osborn Correctional Institution website:
http://www.ct.gov/doc/cwp/view.asp?a=1499&q=265440
FLORIDA
=======
"In 1999, Florida completed a comprehensive report on this area and is
considering various options. However, older prisoners generally are
mainstreamed. While no one institution is officially designated for
housing elderly inmates, Lawtey Correctional Institution now serves an
almost exclusively elderly population. The Hillborough Correctional
Institution also has evolved into such a de facto geriatric facility.
The Florida Correctional Institution is a special unit for older
female inmates. The state has a standard medical or compassionate
release law in cases where (1) death is imminent and (2) there is
reasonable medical certainty that the inmate cannot harm themselves or
others."
Lawtey Correctional Institution website:
http://www.dc.state.fl.us/facilities/region2/255.html
As noted above, the River Junction Work Camp has recently been slated
as a geriatric facility:
http://www.dc.state.fl.us/facilities/region1/116.html
GEORGIA
========
"Georgia is studying possible reforms to deal with the population of
older prisoners. The Men?s Correctional Institution in Hardwick houses
aged, sick, infirmed, and physically handicapped male inmates (the
majority of the 615 inmates). There is also a 384-bed assisted living
unit being built at the August State Medical Prison."
IDAHO
======
"Idaho has no formal program for older prisoners but does reserve 13
beds available for elderly inmates at Idaho State Correctional
Institution (infirmary-style) in Boise. The state also has an active
training program for security staff in working with elderly inmates as
well as other special needs inmates."
ILLINOIS
========
"Illinois does not have a formal older prisoners program, but has
studied such programs. The state has consolidated many of its older
prisoners at the Dixon Correctional Center with a specific health care
unit for inmates aged 55 or older who have one or more chronic
illnesses and other special needs inmates."
INDIANA
=========
"Indiana has two facilities designated for the placement of special
needs and older male offenders. The state has a special training
program."
KANSAS
=======
"Kansas generally mainstreams its older prisoners but the state has
created some special geriatric units."
KENTUCKY
========
"Kentucky has created the Medical Treatment/Mental Health Special
Management Unit at the Kentucky State Reformatory (KSR) to handle
aging prisoners and prisoners with special medical or mental health
needs. In 1995, the state opened a 58-bed facility at KSR to house
geriatric and infirm inmates. There is also a recently converted
30-bed unit for short-term care inmates at the KSR and the state has
implemented a nursing home placement program."
LOUISIANA
=========
"Louisiana houses most of its elderly inmates at the Louisiana State
Penitentiary at Angola, including 120 beds designated for older
prisoners. Inmates who are too sick or weak to remain in regular
housing are reassigned to the treatment center wards with 24-hour
nursing care. Additional beds for the elderly include 70 beds at the
Hunt Correctional Center, 30 beds at the Dixon Correctional Institute,
and 20 beds at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women.
Moreover, the state has a renovated detention center used for aged
and/or physically impaired inmates at Forcht-Wade near the Louisiana
State University Medical Center in Shreveport. This facility has 550
beds, of which 330 are reserved for the elderly. There is a POPS
office in Louisiana, which has worked with POPS in developing new laws
and policies."
MASSACHUSETTS
==============
"Massachusetts has an assisted living unit with 36 beds for elderly
inmates. Otherwise, older prisoners are mainstreamed."
Also read about the Assisted Daily Living Unit at Shirley:
"Hidden behind a maze of chain-link fence and razor wire, in a warren
of squat, red buildings, Ronald Rhoades, 65, passes his days on a
narrow cot in the first assisted living facility for prison inmates in
New England. His new home, which opened in February in the middle of
Massachusetts Correctional Institute at Shirley, offers a respite for
frail inmates unable to get along in the general prison population
with men half their age, many serving time for violent crimes.
From "Assisted living, in prison - Longer sentences force state to
provide new care for aging inmates," by Douglas Belkin, Boston Globe.
June 23, 2005
http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/aging/articles/2005/06/23/assisted_living_in_prison/?page=1
MINNESOTA
=========
"Minnesota maintains a 100-bed unit at the Minnesota Correctional
Facility in Fairbault for elderly inmates. The Senior Dormitory
handles an additional 23 men aged 50 and older. Otherwise, older
prisoners are mainstreamed. The state also has special training
programs for correctional staff in dealing with older prisoners."
"Minnesota Correctional Facility-Faribault website:
http://www.doc.state.mn.us/facilities/faribault.htm
"The facility includes ten remodeled buildings used for living
quarters. One of the buildings has been adapted to meet the needs of
the department?s geriatric and special needs populations."
MISSISSIPPI
============
"Mississippi maintains two special units for its elderly prisoners at
Parchman. These include an 85-bed geriatric unit and a 192-bed unit
that holds geriatric as well as disabled prisoners. The state has a
formal policy on older prisoners in their handling and possible
release. The state has a policy to place all qualifying older
prisoners into geriatric units."
MISSOURI
========
"Missouri has no formal older prisoners program but does allow for
release of prisoners who require nursing home services. The state has
a geriatric unit at the Moberly Correctional Center for 22 inmates and
another unit for elderly inmates with medical problems at the
Jefferson City Correctional Center."
Moberly Correctional Center website:
http://www.doc.missouri.gov/division/adult/moberly1.htm
MONTANA
========
"Montana is implementing conversions of some existing units as geriatric units."
NEVADA
=======
"The state maintains a 75-bed facility for older prisoners at Northern
Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City and a 100-bed facility at
Southern Nevada Correctional Center in North Las Vegas. The state has
stated an intention to build new prison units to serve as nursing
homes for geriatric prisoners."
NEW JERSEY
===========
"New Jersey?s elderly inmates are generally mainstreamed, but the
state does maintain geriatric units. In 1997, the state opened a
64-bed extended care unit for the most seriously ill inmates,
including some geriatric prisoners."
NEW MEXICO
===========
"New Mexico maintains a 50-bed unit at the Central New Mexico
Correctional Facility in Los Lunas for elderly inmates. Otherwise,
older prisoners are mainstreamed."
NORTH CAROLINA
===============
"The state maintains a large geriatric unit for 120 inmates at the
McCain Correctional Hospital. North Carolina has been a leader in
dealing with geriatric and older prisoners, including special
training, programs and resources for its older prisoner population."
McCain Correctional Hospital website:
http://www.doc.state.nc.us/DOP/prisons/mccain.htm
OHIO
=====
"Ohio has some of the largest units for older prisoners including the
340-bed unit at the Hocking Correctional Facility in Nelsonville. An
additional 232 beds are reserved for older prisoners at the Orient
Correctional Institution in Columbus."
Also see:
"Prisoners of Age." FortWayne.com
http://jordan.fortwayne.com/ns/projects/geripris/geri5.php
"Some states have facilities exclusively for older prisoners. At the
Hocking Correctional Facility deep in the Wayne National Forest
southeast of Athens, Ohio, 433 inmates take part in activities ranging
from as simple as cutting red ribbons for Mothers Against Drunk
Driving campaigns to as complex as training puppies to be companions
for the disabled. "Everyone here works," a prison spokeswoman said.
"Even if they're in a wheelchair, we give them a rag and have them
dust. We believe that gives them a sense of responsibility they need,
especially as they get older. It keeps them from sitting idle thinking
they're going to die in here." Hocking opened in 1983 as a medium
security prison, but for the past seven years has served the special
needs of only older inmates. Like most other states, those are needs
Ohio corrections officials expect to continue increasing - by 2005,
they predict more than 25 percent of the state's inmates will be 50 or
older. In addition to the Hocking facility, Ohio's Department of
Rehabilitation and Correction operates a medical center in Columbus
that provides medical care for inmates of all ages. It also has a
long-term care unit and a hospice program for inmates with advanced,
terminal illnesses."
PENNSYLVANIA
=============
"The State Correctional Institution at Laurel Highlands in Somerset
has 100 beds for elderly inmates. The state provides physical therapy,
special recreation opportunities, special work assignments, and
special release planning for its elderly inmates. A recent $23
million expansion project will increase the capacity to 253 beds."
Laurel Highlands facility webstite:
http://www.cor.state.pa.us/laurel/site/default.asp
SOUTH CAROLINA
===============
"South Carolina is working on a new program for the release of older
prisoners and placing them back into society. The state maintains a
geriatric unit at Perry Correctional Institution with roughly 15 older
prisoners and the handicap unit at the Broad River Correctional
Institution. The assignment to these facilities is based on health
status and all other older prisoners are mainstreamed."
TENNESSEE
=========
"Tennessee maintains at least two geriatric units: a 104-bed unit at
the Lois M. DeBerry Special Needs Facility in Nashville and a 40-bed
unit at the Wayne Correctional Annex. The state also has special
dietary and medical programs for older prisoners."
Lois M. DeBerry Special Needs Facility
http://www.tennessee.gov/correction/institutions/dsnf.html
TEXAS
======
"Texas maintains a special geriatric center and special units for
mobility-impaired prisoners. It also operates a 60-bed geriatric
facility located adjacent to a regional medical facility. It also has
special programs for early release and prison hospice."
The Huntsville Estelle Unit website:
http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/stat/unitdirectory/e2.htm
"Texas is one of seven states that have established separate
facilities for elderly prisoners. Seven years ago the state converted
part of the W. J. Estelle prison in Huntsville into a 60-bed geriatric
center, adjacent to the Estelle Regional Medical Facility Unit, one of
the five medical centers in the state where prisoners can receive
extended care. The Estelle center is equipped to handle the geriatric
population and includes a skilled nursing facility."
From "Behind Bars - Aging prison population challenges correctional
health systems," by Chris Schreiber. Nurseweek.
http://www.nurseweek.com/features/99-7/prison.html
UTAH
=====
"Utah has consolidated some of its older prisoners at a facility in
Draper and has special training for staff in dealing with elderly
inmates."
VIRGINIA
=========
"Virginia has a sizable geriatric unit located at the Staunton
Correctional Center, which has special training and resources for
older prisoners. Older inmates (aged 50 and over) may apply for a
geriatric unit. However, there is a long waiting list for older
prisoners asking for transfer to Staunton from other facilities. "
Staunton Correctional Center website:
http://www.vadoc.virginia.gov/facilities/institutions/staunton.htm
A recent addition as noted above:
Deerfield Correctional Center
http://www.vadoc.state.va.us/facilities/institutions/deerfield.htm
WASHINGTON
===========
"Washington is exploring new programs and policies for its older
prisoners. The state currently houses 120 older prisoners at the
Ahtanum View Correctional Facility. The state has special training
programs."
Ahtanum View website:
http://www.doc.wa.gov/facilities/avccdescription.htm
WEST VIRINIA
=============
"The state maintains a special geriatric unit for 100 prisoners at the
Huttonsville Correctional Center. The state has created another large
450-bed facility for older and infirm prisoners at Colin Andersen
Center in St. Mary?s, West Virginia. An additional 45 inmates over 60
are housed in a medium-security prison dormitory. The state has
special training and dietary and medical programs for older
prisoners."
Saint Mary's Correctional Center
http://www.wvf.state.wv.us/wvdoc/smcc.htm
"Offenders departmentally deemed as geriatric or chronically ill may
also be assigned to SMCC."
WISCONSIN
==========
"Wisconsin has no formal program or units for older prisoners. Those
older prisoners who are not mainstreamed are housed in infirmary
units, including units at Waupun Correctional Institution.
WYOMING
========
"Wyoming has two special units at the Wyoming State Penitentiary for
male inmates over 40 who meet certain screening criteria. The state
has some special training in the handling of older or infirm
prisoners."
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
========================
"Other New England states have planned similar facilities: In Rhode
Island, the first assisted living facility is slated to open this
summer. And in Connecticut several wings have been informally
dedicated to elderly inmates. In Maine a geriatric unit was proposed
two years ago but rejected when voters were asked in a statewide
referendum to pay nearly $7 million for it.
"Assisted living, in prison - Longer sentences force state to provide
new care for aging inmates," by Douglas Belkin, Boston Globe. June 23,
2005
http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/aging/articles/2005/06/23/assisted_living_in_prison/?page=1
=
"Nationwide, the cost of housing an inmate older than 60 averages
$70,000 a year, about three times the average cost for prisoners
overall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The difference is largely due to health-care costs. The number of
prisoners older than 60 in New Jersey has risen 23 percent since 1999
- while the overall prison population has plummeted 14 percent.
National corrections experts say a similar rise can be seen at prisons
across the country and will become more pronounced in five to 10
years, as will the higher health costs. Pennsylvania and Florida also
have seen the number of geriatric inmates increase by double digits
over the last several years and have set aside hundreds of beds for
elderly, chronically ill and dying prisoners."
"More inmates older, straining health expenses," by Edward Colimore.
Philly.com Jun. 01, 2005
http://www.timesleader.com/mld/inquirer/living/health/11784830.htm
Numerous relevant links can be found in the following publication:
"Older Adults In Prisons."
http://www.aoa.gov/prof/notes/Docs/Older_Adults_in_Prisons.pdf
===
I hope these references are helpful!
Sincerely,
umiat
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