Correctional Agencies and Elderly Prisoners: What Determines Quality of Care?

EasyChair Preprint 1178

Abstract

The older prison population is rapidly increasing, with major consequences for state correctional agencies. Older inmates suffer age-related illnesses at an earlier age and cost significantly more to house than younger inmates, yet the majority of prison facilities are not equipped to handle the special needs of this demographic (Sharick, 2011). While some states have built designated facilities, others have instituted less costly programs such as prisoner-led care or hospice. In this paper, we investigate why some state departments of correction are better than others at providing care for elderly prisoners, using four subsets of determinants: economic, political, social, and institutional. Using an original data set encompassing state political leadership, demographics, financial health, organizational structure, and other relevant variables, this paper analyzes the factors that affect a state department of corrections’ policies and behavior towards elderly prisoners. Public management scholars note organizational performance and outcomes are affected by various elements; understanding how exogenous components interact with organizational behavior will allow states to better serve this population. Our research contributes to the literature by examining the impact of these factors on a population subgroup.

Keyphrases: Bureaucracy, Elderly, Healthcare, Organization Theory, Prison, disabled, end-of-life care, reform

@booklet{EasyChair:1178,
  author    = {K. Juree Capers and Jennifer Bashford},
  title     = {Correctional Agencies and Elderly Prisoners: What Determines Quality of Care?},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 1178},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2019}}