Trauma Among Young and Older Adult Prisoners: Implications for Age-Specific Services for Older Adults in Corrections

Background: Two major areas of concern in correctional healthcare are the aging prisoner population and the high prevalence of trauma among its population. The rapid growth of the aging prisoner population has been attributed to the result of the passage of stricter sentencing laws resulting in longer prison terms (Aday, 2003). Additionally, research has shown a high prevalence of trauma (93%) among criminal offenders, (victim-witness violence)(Abram,2007). However, research in this area has mostly used adult samples under the age of 55. There is a dearth of information on trauma experienced by older adults, especially in comparison to young adults. The study objective was to describe and compare the types of trauma among older and young adult prisoners.The research questions were: (1) What is the frequency of lifetime trauma among young and older adult prisoners? (2) What significant differences, if any, are reported by young and older adult prisoners on the types of lifetime traumas experienced?

Methods: This exploratory study used a cross-sectional correlational research design and a stratified random sample (by age) of 58 prisoners who were housed in the New Jersey Department of Corrections in 2008. The prison sample was between 18–24 yo (62.0%,n=38) and 55 and older (38.0%,n=20) of which slightly over half (56.9%,n=33) had received their high school diploma/GED. Most were African American (42.4%;n=25) followed by Caucasian (25.5%;n=15), and Latino (13.6%;n=8). Lifetime trauma exposure was measured using a modified version of the Stressful Life Experiences Screening Inventory which has established psychometric properties, including when used with diverse populations(Stamm&TSRG,1997). The data was collected using one on one in-person interviews. Descriptive and inferential analyses(chi-square and Mantel-Haenszel Common Odds Ratio Estimates) were used to compare age group differences with types of trauma (e.g., violent victimization, witnessing violence, and traumatic loss).

Findings: Descriptive analyses revealed that older adult prisoners were two times more likely to report having one or more children and/or grandchildren (X2=7.61,df=1,p=.006;X2=22.96,df=1,p=.001). Older prisoners were significantly less likely to have a delinquent offense history (X2=11.48,df=1,p=.001) but were significantly more likely to have a history of parole violations and recidivism (X2=4.68,df=1,p=.03).Preliminary findings about trauma suggest a high frequency among both groups with some notable age differences. For example, violent victimization (physical/sexual assault) in childhood was commonly reported among young and older prisoners(43.1%,n=25). Compared to young prisoners, more older prisoners reported being victims of physical assault during adolescence (45.9%,n=9;29.7%,n=11). Although most reported living in a violent neighborhood (81.0%,n=47), it was commonly reported among young prisoners (OR=0.22,CI=0.1–0.8,p=.03). Older prisoners were more likely to report having seen someone sexually assaulted compared to young prisoners(OR=1.25,CI=1.1–1.5,p=.005). Older prisoners were significantly more likely to report traumatic loss compared to younger prisoners (OR=0.81,CI=0.7–0.9,p=.043) and experiencing their own personal life-threatening illness (OR=4.42,CI=1.3–14.7,p=.012).

Implications: Currently, the field of corrections is inadequately equipped to address the short and long term occupational, health, and mental health needs of the rapidly growing aging prisoner population, particularly older adults with histories of trauma. The implications for improved correctional health care for older adult prisoners with histories of trauma are delineated.