Prisons were never intended or designed to care for older adult populations. Yet, between 2003 and 2013, correctional facilities experienced the greatest growth in the population of inmates aged 55 and older (Carson & Sabol, 2016). The continued growth of this population increases the likelihood that correctional officers will be faced with the need to recognize symptoms of behavioral and physical health conditions common to older adult populations. It also increases the need for correctional officers to learn how to respond in ways that balance human rights with facility security. The goal of this course is to provide correctional officers working in adult correctional facilities with information to help them recognize symptoms of behavioral and physical health conditions common among older adult populations and interventions they can use to improve the care and supervision of older adult inmates.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: The Aging Inmate
Older Adults in Corrections
Complex Connections
Supervision Challenges
Skills to Manage Older Adults with Behavioral Health Disorders
Review
Summary
Section 3: Behavioral Health of Adults in Correctional Facilities
Overview of Behavioral Health Among Inmates
Behavioral Health Conditions Common Among Older Adults
Neurocognitive Disorders
Depressive Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Knowledge Check
Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
Substance-Related Disorders
Suicide
Review
Summary
Section 4: Physical Health in Corrections
Physical Health of Adults in Correctional Facilities
Changes in the Aging Body
Physical Health Conditions Common Among Older Adults
Sleeping Problems
Common Illnesses
Chronic Pain
Incontinence
Injuries Due to Falls
Physical Health Conditions Unique to Women
Multiple Medications
Disabilities Common Among Older Adults
Review
Summary
Section 5: Strategies to Improve Care and Supervision of Older Adults
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Reasonable Accommodation
Strategies to Improve Care
Minimize Use of Disciplinary Action
Referrals and Paperwork
Programming
Housing
Extras
Exercise
Communication
Palliative Care and Early Medical Release
Review
Summary
Section 6: Conclusion
Summary
Course Contributors
References
Dr. Dee Bell is a clinical psychologist and consultant in the areas of Restorative Justice, Juvenile Justice and Correctional Assessments. She retired as the Deputy Commissioner of Juvenile Justice at the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. Previously, she served for four years as the Administrator of the Community Justice Institute at Florida Atlantic University and the Director of the Balanced and Restorative Justice Project sponsored by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Prior to these positions, she has worked 30 + years in Community Corrections for Georgia and Florida State Government. Educated at Clemson University and Emory University, she has provided training in both state and national venues for many years and has authored and co-authored a number of articles on justice system issues and adult and juvenile justice curricula and restorative justice in communities and schools.Staff Writer: Kimberly Cobb, MS
Mrs. Cobb is a Lead SME Writer/Trainer at Relias. Her primary writing responsibilities are in the content areas of public safety and behavioral health. Mrs. Cobb is also the onboarding trainer for new staff joining the Relias Content Department. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Correctional and Juvenile Justice Studies and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice. She has over 25 years of experience working in criminal and juvenile justice. Her work includes direct service, research, publication development, and training and technical assistance development and delivery.
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