With the current economic woes, governments are looking at ways to trim costs. The burgeoning correctional system is one place being reviewed.  Upwards of 25% of a state’s budget may be allocated to this concern. However, it is unlikely that much can be spared from correctional healthcare budgets. Costs have been escalating for many reasons, not a small one is the increasing age of the inmate population. The elderly inmates increasing the need for correctional nurses. Information in this blog post comes from two excellent articles. The Council of State Governments published a report – Graying Prisons. Dr. Glenda Reimer’s extensively referenced article The Graying of the U.S. Prisoner Population appeared in the July, 2008 issue of the Journal of Correctional Health Care.

Elderly Inmates Increasing the Need for Correctional Nurses

The Extent of the Problem

The elderly inmate (defined as over 50 years of age) is the fastest growing segment of the incarcerated US population. The National Institute of Corrections documents a 172.6% increase in the decade ending 2001 when a total of 113,000 inmates had this designation. This growth is expected to continue for many reasons including longer sentencing, the general aging of the US population as a whole, and get-tough-on-crime reforms.

An Aging Inmate is Older than You Think

Due to a tendency toward poor dietary and exercise habits, coupled with high levels of substance abuse, the inmate population has a physiologic age an average of seven to ten years older than chronological age. This is exacerbated by a general lack of access to health-care services and a poorer socio-economic background than the general public. In fact, a study by the Florida Department of Corrections found, in 2000, that two-thirds of the inmates surveyed had their first significant health care experience while in prison.

Most Common Chronic Conditions Affecting the Older Inmate

Elderly inmates have high levels of chronic illness that must be managed within the security environment. A study by the National Institute of Corrections found these conditions of greatest frequency:

• Arthritis
• Hypertension
• Ulcer Disease
• Prostate Problems
• Myocardial Infarction

Correctional Nursing Needed More Than Ever!

The increasing percentage of aging inmates and their corresponding chronic disease load is requiring an increase in need for correctional nurses. Government statistics do not seem to be kept on current and projected employment in correctional nursing. This needs rectified. Inquiries are in process.

Nurses are needed to provide patient education, medication compliance counseling, and management of the care coordination necessary to deliver chronic care is a security environment.

Systemically, some state governments have initiated designated facilities for housing long-term care and acute care delivery in a centralized fashion. Concentrating healthcare services can lead to cost savings overtime, but can be expensive to initiate.

The need for dedicated quality nursing care to the incarcerated population is great. This specialty nursing practice needs attention and increased visibility.