Post by Logan on Mar 21, 2016 6:17:48 GMT -6
MONTPELIER — Legislation pending in the State House would let officials take into account the ages of Vermont’s oldest inmates when deciding whether they should be considered for early release.
Vermont’s population of inmates aged 60 or older more than doubled from 41 in 2005 to 96 in 2015, according to figures from the state Department of Corrections. Older prisoners are considered less risky than their younger counterparts and much more expensive to care for, said Lisa Menard, the department’s commissioner.
As of this past week, Vermont’s oldest male inmate was 90; the oldest female was 69. Menard said she was barred by department rules from identifying them.
The Pew Charitable Trusts reported that as of 2011, Vermont was tied with Oregon as having the largest share of their inmate populations — 14 percent for both — 55 years of age or older.
Read more: www.timesargus.com/article/20160321/THISJUSTIN/303219996
Vermont’s population of inmates aged 60 or older more than doubled from 41 in 2005 to 96 in 2015, according to figures from the state Department of Corrections. Older prisoners are considered less risky than their younger counterparts and much more expensive to care for, said Lisa Menard, the department’s commissioner.
As of this past week, Vermont’s oldest male inmate was 90; the oldest female was 69. Menard said she was barred by department rules from identifying them.
The Pew Charitable Trusts reported that as of 2011, Vermont was tied with Oregon as having the largest share of their inmate populations — 14 percent for both — 55 years of age or older.
Read more: www.timesargus.com/article/20160321/THISJUSTIN/303219996