What is the situation with older inmates?
Traditionally, inmates 50 year of age or older make up three to four percent of the inmate population. While the percentage of older inmates has not increased dramatically, the number of older inmates has increased as the population has quadrupled during the last three decades. And, as younger and middle aged inmates continue to serve longer sentences, the number and percentage of older inmates will increase accordingly. In addition, older inmates will likely have increased health issues as they age. Illinois Corrections is carefully monitoring the situation. The agency is exploring funding sources to expand a geriatric unit currently established at the Dixon Correctional Center. This unit operates on a floor of the infirmary, formerly a hospital for mentally and developmentally disabled people. It houses more than 80 inmates with multiple disabilities who are 55 years old or older. Other older inmates with physical infirmities are housed in prison infirmaries in accordance with the se
