Interview
America's elderly prisoner boom
- The U.S. prison population is aging rapidly, with the number of inmates over age 65 doubling since 2007 to become the fastest-growing demographic.
- California Men's Colony houses "Goldcoats," a volunteer program where screened elderly inmates assist older prisoners with daily living activities like dressing, eating, and mobility.
- Inmates often exhibit physiological aging 10 to 15 years faster than the general population due to the high-stress prison environment and constant vigilance required for safety.
- Older prisoners face heightened vulnerability to predators once they can no longer care for themselves, making peer protection from volunteers critical in the absence of guards.
- Dementia and memory loss are common, causing confusion regarding facility routines, rules, and personal identities, which can inadvertently lead to conflicts or disciplinary trouble.
- The program addresses significant costs, as the U.S. spends approximately $16 billion annually on elder care, whereas Goldcoats volunteers are paid only $36 per month.
- Despite the low pay, the role carries social risks within the prison culture, where assisting inmates can incur the stigma of being a "snitch" and potential retaliation.
- Legislative efforts to reduce prison populations in California have paradoxically concentrated long-term and elderly inmates in state facilities by diverting less serious offenders to county jails.
- Samuel Baxter, a 35-year-life inmate, participates in the program to ensure future care for himself, having previously been denied parole and facing another review in at least five years.
- Elderly inmates facing release after decades often encounter homelessness or inability to access nursing homes due to lack of family support, funds, and provider hesitation regarding parolees.
- Philip Burdick serves as a grief counselor in the prison hospice program, providing companionship to ensure terminally ill inmates do not die alone.
- Of the 1.6 million state and federal inmates, approximately 10% are serving life sentences, a group unlikely to benefit from recent sentencing reforms.