Medical statistics for inmates in the United States view statistics from both state and federal correctional systems with a focus on the medical needs of the correctional population. The survey covers both male and female offenders from the age of 24 and younger to 45 and older aswell as a variety of races (Maruschak, 2005). The Survey of Medical Problems of Prisoners the medical problems that the survey focuses on are: ARTHRITIS, ASTHMA, CANCER,DIABETES, HEART PROBLEMS, HYPERTENSION, KIDNEY PROBLEMS, LIVER PROBLEMS, PARALYSIS, STROKE, HEPATITIS, HIV, SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE, and TUBERCULOSIS (Maruschak, 2005).
The amount of healthcare required in the state correctional population is that 26 percent of their offenders reported having …show more content…
An expansion of rehabilitation programs offering a time reduction for participation would allow offenders an opportunity for early release, moreover, these programs assist offenders in multiple ways, including reduced recidivism rates. This would assist with reducing incarceration costs by millions. A broader use of community-based corrections in cases of nonviolent offenses is the most cost-effective, moreover, these programs have shown a more fruitful reduction in the rehabilitation of offenders as well as reduced recidivism rates (Sullivan, 2015). As a prison warden, I would release nonviolent offenders over the age of fifty-five as well asoffenders who have rendered incapacitated or incompetent due to illness. The healthcare costsassociated with caring for elderly individuals are astronomical compared to others (Vestal,2013). There is a higher risk for chronic illnesses as well as mental deterioration associated with aging. The medical requirements for individuals suffering from these ailments are extremely costly. In 2011, there were over one and a half million individuals incarcerated over the age offifty-five. The total number of individuals incarcerated was just slightly over two million, meaning the aging population accounted for more than half of the inmate population (Kaeble & Glaze,
The amount of healthcare required in the state correctional population is that 26 percent of their offenders reported having …show more content…
An expansion of rehabilitation programs offering a time reduction for participation would allow offenders an opportunity for early release, moreover, these programs assist offenders in multiple ways, including reduced recidivism rates. This would assist with reducing incarceration costs by millions. A broader use of community-based corrections in cases of nonviolent offenses is the most cost-effective, moreover, these programs have shown a more fruitful reduction in the rehabilitation of offenders as well as reduced recidivism rates (Sullivan, 2015). As a prison warden, I would release nonviolent offenders over the age of fifty-five as well asoffenders who have rendered incapacitated or incompetent due to illness. The healthcare costsassociated with caring for elderly individuals are astronomical compared to others (Vestal,2013). There is a higher risk for chronic illnesses as well as mental deterioration associated with aging. The medical requirements for individuals suffering from these ailments are extremely costly. In 2011, there were over one and a half million individuals incarcerated over the age offifty-five. The total number of individuals incarcerated was just slightly over two million, meaning the aging population accounted for more than half of the inmate population (Kaeble & Glaze,