Aging Prisoners’ Concerns Toward Dying in Prison Emily Vigiard

Background on Prisons There are more than 1.3 million inmates currently held in state and federal prisons. Of those 125,000 are 50 years or older. There are more than 1.3 million inmates currently held in state and federal prisons. Of those 125,000 are 50 years or older. Each year, approximately 4,000 Americans die in U.S. prisons and jails. Some of these deaths are from natural causes, but many more result from mental disorders left undiagnosed and diseases left untreated. Each year, approximately 4,000 Americans die in U.S. prisons and jails. Some of these deaths are from natural causes, but many more result from mental disorders left undiagnosed and diseases left untreated. The percentage of inmate deaths due to natural causes has increased from 58.8 % in 1996 to 80% in The percentage of inmate deaths due to natural causes has increased from 58.8 % in 1996 to 80% in Long-term incarceration is said to add 10 years to a person’s physical age. Long-term incarceration is said to add 10 years to a person’s physical age.

5 FACTORS THAT AFFECT A PRISONERS ATTITUDE TOWARDS DEATH 1. Place of death 2. Age 3. Health Status 4. Race 5. Social Support

Place of Death The main issue for older inmates is where their death is going to take place rather than the actual death itself. The main issue for older inmates is where their death is going to take place rather than the actual death itself. Sick inmates are removed from general population and place in even more restrictive medical units. This causes similar feelings as when outside people are placed in nursing homes, which are also very restrictive. Sick inmates are removed from general population and place in even more restrictive medical units. This causes similar feelings as when outside people are placed in nursing homes, which are also very restrictive. The reality of dying in a foreign place in which the inmate is very dependent and undignified is a very distressing thought for older inmates. The reality of dying in a foreign place in which the inmate is very dependent and undignified is a very distressing thought for older inmates. Inmates typically fear spending there last hours alone and separated from their family on the outside. Inmates typically fear spending there last hours alone and separated from their family on the outside.

Age Most data suggests that death anxiety was highest in middle adulthood and tended to decrease in older aged people. Since most prisoners are said to age 10 years and typically don’t live as long, some inmates are still in this middle adulthood stage when their dying in prison. Most data suggests that death anxiety was highest in middle adulthood and tended to decrease in older aged people. Since most prisoners are said to age 10 years and typically don’t live as long, some inmates are still in this middle adulthood stage when their dying in prison.

Health Status Studies have supported a significant association between someone's health condition and the amount of death anxiety they have. Studies have supported a significant association between someone's health condition and the amount of death anxiety they have. A study done by Mullins and Lopez found that nursing home patients and inmates in the medical units who reported health problems had more death anxiety regardless of their age. A study done by Mullins and Lopez found that nursing home patients and inmates in the medical units who reported health problems had more death anxiety regardless of their age.

Race A study done by Thorson and Powell in 1998 found that Euro – Americans were more concerned with the uncertainty associated with dying, while African Americans expressed more anxiety over the pain process included with dying a natural death. A study done by Thorson and Powell in 1998 found that Euro – Americans were more concerned with the uncertainty associated with dying, while African Americans expressed more anxiety over the pain process included with dying a natural death. No differences between races were found when looking at the fear of premature death, the body after death or the fear of the unknown. No differences between races were found when looking at the fear of premature death, the body after death or the fear of the unknown.

Social Support & Religious Support The more supportive social networks a person has, the more likely they will be in better mental and physical health, compared to people who don’t. This includes telephone calls, visits with friends and family and participation in religious and other social group. The more supportive social networks a person has, the more likely they will be in better mental and physical health, compared to people who don’t. This includes telephone calls, visits with friends and family and participation in religious and other social group. 20% of inmates said prayer 20% of inmates said prayer was a common way of coping with dying behind bars.

Death as a positive thought? For some death seems like a better alternative compared to isolation, illness and a life long prison sentence. For some death seems like a better alternative compared to isolation, illness and a life long prison sentence. One prisoner was quoted saying “I really don’t worry about dying. I think it would be a great relief”. One prisoner was quoted saying “I really don’t worry about dying. I think it would be a great relief”.

Execution The death penalty is currently a legal sentence in 31 states. The death penalty is currently a legal sentence in 31 states. The most common method in recent decades has been lethal injection. The most common method in recent decades has been lethal injection. In 2012, 43 inmates were executed in the country. In 2012, 43 inmates were executed in the country. The remaining two states that allow hanging are New Hampshire which allows it at the decision of the Corrections officials, and Washington, at the decision of the prisoner. The remaining two states that allow hanging are New Hampshire which allows it at the decision of the Corrections officials, and Washington, at the decision of the prisoner. The last hanging was on January 25, 1996 in Delaware, the last lethal gas execution was on March 3,1999 in Arizona, the last execution by firing squad was June 18,2010 in Utah and the last electrocution was on January 16,2013 in Virginia. The last hanging was on January 25, 1996 in Delaware, the last lethal gas execution was on March 3,1999 in Arizona, the last execution by firing squad was June 18,2010 in Utah and the last electrocution was on January 16,2013 in Virginia.

Last Rights Regardless of the method, an hour or two before the execution, the condemned person is offered: Regardless of the method, an hour or two before the execution, the condemned person is offered: Religious services Religious services A last meal (except in Texas), the contents of which is often released to the news. A last meal (except in Texas), the contents of which is often released to the news. Executions are carried out in private with only invited persons able to view the proceedings; in some cases, journalists have reserved spots, such as in Texas, where The Associated Press is entitled to send a reporter to witness each execution. Executions are carried out in private with only invited persons able to view the proceedings; in some cases, journalists have reserved spots, such as in Texas, where The Associated Press is entitled to send a reporter to witness each execution.