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Cynthia A. Scheiderer, PsyD, is a 2025 graduate of the PsyD program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, Seattle.

Dissertation Committee:

Jude Bergkamp, PsyD, Committee Chair

Lisa Barry, PhD, MPH, FGSA, Committee Member

Cynthia Mason, PhD, SUDP, Committee Member

Keywords

corrections, correctional healthcare, correctional health care, incarceration, older adults, geropsychology, prison, geriatric healthcare, aging, thematic analysis

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

The incarcerated population in the United States is aging. The proportion of adults 55 or older in prison rose from 3% in 1993 to 16% at year-end 2022 (Carson & Sabol, 2016; Carson & Kluckow, 2024). Researchers have consistently found evidence that the prevalence of disabilities and functional impairment is higher among older adults who are incarcerated than among those in the community. As the incarcerated population ages, corrections professionals responsible for providing safety, housing, and health care must respond to the needs of the population. In this qualitative study, 21 corrections professionals from the disciplines of custody, classification, medical, and mental health care in a mid-sized state Department of Corrections shared their experiences and perspectives working with incarcerated older adults who have functional impairments due to mobility, sensory problems, cognitive impairment, or chronic illness. Using reflexive thematic analysis, the findings from the data were organized into five themes: lack of housing options, policies for order and discipline, collaborative care, incarcerated peer support, and risks to staff. This paper will describe these themes with examples from study participants. This paper will also discuss the implications of these findings and recommendations for programmatic improvements and further research.

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Cynthia A. Scheiderer, PsyD, 2025

ORCID Scholar No. 0009-0002-5722-3216

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