Older adults are one of the fastest-growing groups in correctional systems, with the U.S. older incarcerated adult population growing by 79% between 2000 and 2009 (Williams et al.,2012). This number is expected to increase in the future, due to the aging population, a trend of longer prison sentences, and a reduction of parole or early release because of more stringent “tough on crime” laws (Skarupski et al., 2018). Although older adults are traditionally defined as individuals aged 65 and older, correctional systems often classify incarcerated individuals as “geriatric” at 55 years of age because incarceration is often associated with accelerated aging (Garrido & Frakt, 2020). As a result of the growing geriatric prison population, correctional facilities now house an increasing number of individuals who experience age-related medical conditions and have complex mental health needs. Despite this shift, prisons remain environments that are generally designed for younger populations, which can create structural and psychological challenges for older inmates (Williams et al., 2012).
Older adults experience substantial mental health challenges that are often complex and insufficiently addressed. More than 20% of individuals aged 55 and older may suffer from mental health problems (Lima et al., 2019). Common issues facing older adults, including bereavement, social isolation, increased health problems and costs, and limited (and less flexible) finances after retirement can add to older adults’ psychological burden and contribute to the deterioration of mental health (Ratnakaran, 2023). Despite this need, mental health conditions in older populations are not always clearly diagnosed, as existing diagnostic frameworks and systems may not adequately capture how psychiatric and psychological disorders function in older adults, leading to overlooked or improperly treated conditions (Jeste et al., 2005). Inaddition, older adults may underutilize mental health services due to a range of barriers, including stigma, lack of perceived need for treatment, cost, limited access, and mistrust of providers (Egan, 2021; Lavingia et al., 2020; Thorp, Sones, & Cook, 2011). As a result, there is a gap between the prevalence of mental health needs in older adults and their access to effective treatment.
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