Smart decarceration

The United States leads the world in the proportion of the population incarcerated, and older offenders are a rapidly growing segment of this population. The “graying” of prisons and corresponding growth in correctional healthcare expenditures have spurred a larger discussion about how prisons can balance the need for humane treatment with cost containment. This chapter critically examines the issue of smart decarceration with a specific focus on aging. Older offenders represent a vulnerable population in the correctional context, similar to the other populations smart decarceration seeks to target, including individuals who are racial minorities, impoverished, and living with behavioral health disorders. Following a summary of the state of relevant literature, a case study is provided that illustrates the essence of aging in a correctional setting. Also included is a critical review of assessment issues, which frames compassionate release as a promising intervention for promoting the objective of smart decarceration. Lastly, implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.