Aging In Prison: Identifying Issues Concerning Successful Aging among the Older Inmate Population

As the older inmate population continues to increase, society and the criminal justice system will be challenged to address important issues concerning older inmates. The current body of literature on this population is limited, especially concerning issues associated with successful aging. Successful aging is multidimensional, encompassing important factors such as physical, mental and social well-being and deficits in one or more of these factors can create challenges for optimal health and well-being as a person ages. The purpose of this research is to explore issues relevant to successful aging among older inmates in relation to health and well-being, social support and engagement, relevant coping strategies, and accessibility and availability of healthcare and geriatric services. By examining the issues concerning successful aging among the older inmate population, social workers will acquire knowledge about a population that has not been extensively examined, and add to the body of knowledge that seeks to identify how aging is impacted by incarceration and what issues and themes must be identified to help older inmates age successfully. Lastly, this research will present an evaluation on the use of religiousness/spirituality as an intervention for addressing the issues that affect successful aging among the older inmate population, as well as recommendations for social work practice, policy and research