Aging inmate population straining prison system, watchdog finds

Federal prisons are not equipped to adequately address the needs of aging inmates, according to a new report from a government watchdog.

Older prisoners often times do not have access to the medical help and handicapped-accessible cells they need, the report finds. The inmates also face a greater risk of being “victimized” by other prisoners.

The report from the Department of Justice inspector general highlights a growing challenge for the Bureau of Prisons.

The nation’s prison population is aging at a dramatic pace, according to the report. The number of prisoners 50 years and older increased by 25 percent between 2009 and 2013, while the number of prisoners under 30 decreased by 29 percent.

The trend is taking a toll on the government’s finances.

The cost of incarcerating an older inmate is $24,538, which is 8 percent more than it is for younger inmates.