The Number Of Jail Inmates Age 65+ Increased By 78% Between 2020 & 2023

The number of adult jail inmates over age 65 in the United States increased by 78% between 2020 and 2023, a rate about triple the 21% increase for all adult jail inmates age 18 and older, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). The number of inmates age 65 and older increased from 33,100 in 2020 to 44,900 in 2023. The total number of adult inmates increased from 546,900 in 2020 to 662,200 in 2023.

During this period, the percentage of jail inmates over age 65 as a share of total adult inmates . . .