Resource By J. Omeara Gregory - 2010 Electro Article

Resource J Omeara Gregory 2010 Article In This Weeks Electronic

Resource: J O'meara, Gregory. (2010) article in this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings Write and 1,050- to 1,400-word paper that summarizes the arguments for and against confining sick and older adult prisoners in jail. Which of these arguments do they think have merit? What values underlie each position? How does medical parole or release fit into this discussion? Provide alternative solutions to the problem and discuss their overall impacts. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Paper For Above instruction

The debate over the incarceration of sick and older adult prisoners presents complex ethical, medical, and societal considerations. In Gregory O’Meara’s 2010 article, various arguments are presented both in favor of and against confining such vulnerable populations in jails or prisons. This paper aims to critically analyze these arguments, assess their underlying values, evaluate the merit of each position, and explore how medical parole or release could serve as an alternative. Furthermore, potential solutions and their broader implications will be discussed.

Introduction

The issue of confining sick and elderly prisoners is a contentious one, driven by concerns over safety, resource allocation, justice, and humanitarian values. As incarceration rates rise globally, policymakers and correctional institutions grapple with how best to balance public safety with the health and dignity of prisoners who often require specialized care. Gregory O’Meara’s article synthesizes perspectives from legal, ethical, and medical viewpoints, emphasizing the need for nuanced decision-making supported by a solid understanding of the prisoners' medical and social needs.

Arguments for Confinement

Proponents of confining sick and older prisoners often argue that incarceration is necessary to ensure public safety, especially when individuals pose ongoing threats to society or if legal conditions mandate confinement regardless of health considerations. They emphasize that prisons can be equipped to manage certain health conditions and that releasing such prisoners prematurely could pose risks to communities. Additionally, some argue that legal systems prioritize punishment and deterrence over individual health, thus maintaining confinement as a matter of justice or legal compliance.

Furthermore, supporters believe that correctional facilities can provide health monitoring and basic medical care to maintain order and prevent health crises within the prison system itself. They argue that with proper medical support, older and sick prisoners can serve their sentences while their health conditions are managed, thus aligning with the principle of accountability.

Arguments Against Confinement

Conversely, critics highlight that imprisoning sick and older adults often violates ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence, as incarceration can exacerbate health problems and reduce quality of life. They emphasize that prisons are primarily designed for punishment, not healthcare, and often lack the necessary resources to adequately care for frail or chronically ill inmates. The risk of neglect, substandard medical treatment, or exposure to prison violence is significantly heightened for these populations.

Moreover, opponents argue that confining vulnerable populations is unjust and inconsistent with modern values of humane treatment and human rights. They also point out that many of these individuals could be better served within community-based care systems, which could prevent the deterioration of their health and facilitate a more dignified aging process.

Underlying Values and Ethical Considerations

The arguments for confining sick and elderly prisoners are often rooted in values of public safety, justice, and the rule of law. They emphasize accountability, deterrence, and societal protection, reflecting a utilitarian perspective focused on maximum societal benefit. On the other hand, arguments against confinement emphasize compassion, dignity, and the inherent worth of every individual, aligning with principles of human rights, beneficence, and social justice.

These conflicting values illustrate the tension between societal security and individual well-being. Recognizing this tension is crucial because policies that prioritize one set of values over another risk ethical violations and social alienation.

The Role of Medical Parole and Release

Medical parole or release emerges as a pivotal alternative in this debate. It offers a pathway to balance societal safety with health care needs, enabling severely ill or frail prisoners to serve the remainder of their sentences outside the incarceration system, typically under supervised community care. Such policies can reduce prison overcrowding, lower healthcare costs, and improve quality of life for affected individuals.

Implementing medical parole requires robust assessment tools to identify candidates genuinely in need, along with community-based care infrastructures to provide necessary support. Critics argue that this approach may be exploited or inconsistently applied, raising concerns about public safety and fairness. Nonetheless, when judiciously managed, medical parole can serve as a humane compromise that respects individual dignity without compromising societal security.

Alternative Solutions and Their Impacts

Beyond medical parole, other solutions include nursing home or assisted living placements, specially designed geriatric units within correctional facilities, or expanding community health programs that provide supervision and medical support as alternatives to incarceration. These options prioritize healthcare and dignity while minimizing the risks associated with confinement.

In addition, restorative justice programs tailored for elderly offenders can focus on rehabilitation and reconciliation rather than punishment alone. Community-based models can foster social integration and improve mental and physical health outcomes for older adults by providing familiar environments and personalized care.

The impacts of these alternatives are multifaceted. They can reduce healthcare costs for corrections systems, improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations, and uphold humane treatment standards. However, they require significant investment in community health infrastructure and coordinated cross-sector collaboration—challenges that policymakers must address to ensure sustainability.

Conclusion

The debate over confining sick and older prisoners revolves around a core conflict between societal safety and individual dignity. While arguments for confinement stress justice and public protection, those against emphasize humane treatment and human rights. Medical parole and community-based care present promising solutions that can reconcile these priorities, provided they are grounded in thorough assessment and robust support systems. Ultimately, the focus should be on developing ethical, efficient, and compassionate policies that honor the dignity of vulnerable populations and promote justice for all members of society.

References

• American Correctional Association. (2014). Geriatric offenders: Issues and policy options. Alexandria, VA: American Correctional Association.
• Appelbaum, P. S. (2012). Ethical issues in prison mental health care. The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, 40(4), 434-439.
• Chung, W., & Kim, S. (2015). Community-based alternatives for elderly and ill offenders: An evaluation of current models. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 26(3), 243-262.
• Fazel, S., & Baillargeon, J. (2011). The health of prisoners. The Lancet, 377(9769), 956-965.
• Hungerford, D. (2010). Ageing prisoners: Issues and solutions. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 16(3), 191-201.
• Maruschak, L. M., & Beavers, W. (2016). Medical treatment and health care in prisons. NCJRS Crime & Justice Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov
• National Commission on Correctional Health Care. (2014). Standards for health services in correctional settings. Chicago, IL: NCCHC.
• Sharfstein, J. M. (2016). Prison health care reform: Moving forward. The New England Journal of Medicine, 375(13), 1207-1209.
• Shoemaker, M. (2013). Healthcare challenges for aging prisoners. American Journal of Public Health, 103(10), 1774-1778.
• Williams, B. A. (2012). Ethical dilemmas in correctional health care. American Journal of Public Health, 102(8), 1394-1398.