The cost to incarcerate offenders when compared to community supervision alternatives is significantly higher. This is especially true for elderly inmates, which are a growing segment of the incarceration population as a result of stricter sentencing approaches.

In your initial response, identify and discuss costs that are specifically associated with the incarceration of elderly inmates. Next, keeping in mind existing legal mandates with respect to the rights of inmates (e.g., right to medical care, basic needs, etc.), propose at a possible approach for controlling the rising costs of incarcerating elderly inmates.