What is true regarding the growing population of prisoners who are 55 years of age or older?

• A. They are more likely to reoffend and costs decrease
• B. They require less healthcare and costs decrease
• C. Such inmates are unlikely to commit more crimes and the cost to keep them in prison will increase due to healthcare issues
• D. Costs stay constant regardless of age

Answer: (C)

As people in prison age, two clear patterns emerge: the likelihood of reoffending tends to decline with age, while healthcare needs increase. Older inmates typically have more chronic health conditions and require more medical care, medications, and sometimes long-term or end-of-life services. So you can expect fewer new crimes from this group, but higher costs to keep them incarcerated due to these healthcare demands. That combination is exactly what this statement captures: low chance of committing more crimes, but rising costs because of healthcare issues. The other options don’t fit because they either imply higher reoffending among older inmates or suggest healthcare needs and costs decrease or stay the same as inmates age.