America's elderly prisoner boom

Thanks to ultra-long sentences, America's 2.3m prisoners are getting older. Under the 'Gold coats' programme in California, younger inmates look after elderly ones
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Prisons are becoming America's biggest old people's homes. Now the country that locks up more people than anywhere else must deal with the consequences of a growing prison population. Growing old in prison is hard.
Samuel Baxter is an inmate here at the California men's colony prison in San Luis Obispo almost everyday for the past four years Mr Baxter has helped elderly prisoners get dressed, eat, and get about prison. It is a confronting job.
In America some 2.2 million people are behind bars, and the prisoners are getting older. The number of people over the age of 65 who were in prison has doubled since 2007. In fact, aging men and women are the most rapidly growing part of America's prison population. In part, this is the hangover effect of the 1980s and 90s when a perfect storm of high crime rates and tough sentencing laws caused prison populations to soar.
Phillip Burdick is 64. He works alongside Mr Baxter in a program called the Gold Coats. The volunteer inmates who become Gold Coats are carefully screened and shadow an experienced volunteer sometimes for several months of training. Older prisoners often have special needs; some have problems with mobility, others dementia or mental health.
Caring for the elderly behind bars presents unique challenges. Prisoners can have the physiological age of someone 10 to 15 years older. Glenn Crites has been in prison for 44 years, since he was 20 years old, for murder. He remembers catching another elderly prisoner, nicknamed Pops, staring at him. Pops had Alzheimer's. He was trying to remember who Mr Crites was. He didn't fight Pop's, but older inmates are more vulnerable than younger ones.
Of the 1.6 million inmates in state and federal prisons, 1/10 are serving life sentences. Many politicians are now keen to reverse this mass incarceration but long timers seem unlikely to benefit. In California, a bid to reduce prison populations means less serious criminals now serve time in county jails or in the community. The inmates left behind tend to be the ones serving longer sentences. These are often the elderly.
America spends about 16 billion dollars every year caring for older inmates. The gold coats program aims to allay some of those costs. Volunteers are paid a mere 36 dollars a month. A fraction of what outside help, like a nursing assistant, would cost the prison.
Despite the challenges, the Gold Coats continue to help their aging counterparts. Mr Baxter has a particularly personal reason for wanting to do so; his mother had dementia. Mr Baxter is serving 35 years to life in prison for fatally shooting a man. He had his first parole hearing in March, but was turned down. He won't receive another review for at least five years and he has come to realize the Gold Coats may one day be caring for him.
For the elderly men who are released after decades behind bars, there may no longer be any friends or family on the outside who can provide care. Not everyone here will be granted parole. Some of these men will die in prison.
For those nearing the end of their lives Mr Burdick serves as a grief counselor in the prison hospice program.
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[@jimmyross504]

they won't parole mr. Baxter because he's some of the "BEST" help they got in that prison

[@queen_sized]

That's horrible

[@aishacoco8902]

True

[@hotcakesjubaby7300]

THAT'S FUCKED UP MAN😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@J.HerbosHair]

It doesnt have to be like that release and offer him a honest job.

[@DennisWilliams-nf2gn]

Damn, cheap labor!

[@newdogatplay]

Anyone in for drug charges that did not cause a death should be let go,

[@johnmackinon9691]

of course man, drug dealer is a crime with no victim, clearly an abuse of the state

[@TheDerpyDog]

That’s an ignorant statement

[@mysticrhythmsundercityligh1026]

Being locked up for drugs is outrageous

[@crucestown8677]

TheDerpyDog oh please even the cia is in the drug trade

[@ashisgoat2910]

No

[@captaincancer7786]

Remember, the longer those prisoners stay in prison, the more money the companies get.

[@TheSpogNYC]

Keep in mind that for-profit prisons make up an incredibly small percentage of all prisons. This doesn't change the fact that private-run prisons is a total disgrace, but the amount of for-profit prisons has been drasticly blown out of proportion and sensationalized. That being said, I'm of the belief that for-profit/private/corporation run prisons should be outlawed.

[@MrTrollinglol]

Even public prisons have big companies making millions off prisoners by marking up snack food items and such and also making family use an overpriced service to send "E-notes" to them to interact during holidays, the whole thing is fucked up no matter how you look at it

[@eddilovee]

MrTrollinglol yeah, lots of contractors making big bucks. Usually connected to politics on who gets those contracts. Not about who has the best service to offer for the buck.

[@1bigfin]

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

[@harpskid]

@@1bigfin While i tend to agree, there are other countries experimenting with less strict prison time and shorter sentences. I think it was Denmark or Sweden that was trying a "house hold style" prison where everyone goes to work everyday (in the prison) cooks and cleans for themselves, etc.

[@eddilovee]

When I was 19 years old, I went to prison. One of the first things I noticed was that. There were many old men there.

[@stephenb7829]

Did you want to add anything to that ?

[@eddilovee]

Stephen B, I can write a book about it. No, I never got raped if you’re trying to be funny about it. I did have an old man come onto me verbally. I was from the streets, my charge was an Armed Robbery. I was one of the most notorious criminals in my city at that time. A top member of the most violent gang in the city, in the newspapers often. So of course, this old man picked the wrong one. I beat the crap out of him, without him touching me. This happened during my first week. In the orientation unit. Life inside prison is a different world. With a new set of rules. There are rules to every single thing you do(e.g. using the toilet, approaching two men talking, etc), and you better catch on quick, or you won’t make it. Once I left the Orientation Unit, I was moved to a STG(Security Threat Group) Unit. When gang members came to question me for the first time, huddled in a U-shape around me. I told them I had no affiliation to prison gangs, but I am a gang member. I lied at the same time, I was a Vice Lord, but I didn’t want to rotate with them. I’m not the type of man to put in work for another man that I don’t know, just because we’re both under the same gang. Inside of prison, you start at the bottom, and move up in ranks. The bottom is where you have to do most of the dirt, to move up. I wasn’t with that. So they asked what street gang I was with. I told them the name, one of the men looked deep into my eyes squinting his. He asked if I was from Fort Wayne with a smile. Caught by surprise I answered, “yeah!” He stated that he knew my people, from doing time behind bars. He then began to name them, and which facilities they were in together. I finally felt at ease. The names he mentioned, were some savage men, doing serious time. I knew they had to be respected in prison. I stuck to myself, mainly in my cell. I’ve never been social around strangers. Always kept a straight face. You have to realize, I’ve probably been in more firefights than some war veterans. When other inmates look at you, you have to know how to look back at them. Let the eyes, and body talk for you. It can determine if they’ll extort, rob, rape, or take advantage of you some way. You don’t just want to go out and make friends. That can be a very dangerous thing. Being anti-social worked in my favor for that environment, so did my conduct. The guy who knew my friends would walk up to me, make small talk. Until eventually we became pretty good friends I would say. After my celly built his profile on me, he trusted me enough to show his cell phone. In which I was amazed, he said that if I paid the bill, I could use it anytime. A deal I was more than happy to accept. I got my first job soon after being idle. Working grave shift at the hospital, as a janitor. I worked with a group of gentlemen that I’ll never forget in my life. Memories and words I’ll carry with me forever. They took me in as a little brother, they were all grown men of character. Very articulate and wise. I for the first time in prison, let my guard down around other men. I loved going to work, just to be in their presence. It was an actual escape from prison life. Once I gained their trust, they filled me in on the ins and outs. The affairs with nurses, contraband smuggling, etc. We all became very very close. After about 6 months or so of working at the hospital. I decided I needed to go to school for a sentence reduction. So I had to quit my job. I hated that I didn’t get to see them as often. Soon, I started running into folks from my city. I didn’t know majority of them, they all knew of me. Until a few members from my city gang began to appear. My reputation began to grow bigger, all with a word of mouth from others, and my conduct. I started to get acquainted more and more with the shot callers. Discovering all of the corruption and hustles. Until I got my own corrupt correctional officer dropping off packages of illegal contraband weekly. My release date was sad, it was the end of a journey from State institutions. I still had a Federal retainer on me I had to deal with. I went through the same release procedure as everyone else. There are two gates to come in and leave prison. Only one may be open at a time. As guards escorted me for the walk to the gates, I stared at the white Jeep waiting in-between the two gates. As the gate opened, two federal agents stepped out of the vehicle. One opened a Manila envelope, showed me a warrant for my arrest. The other took shackles, out of the back. I was then shackled and escorted to my next journey. Since my release 6 years ago, I haven’t been back. Can’t recollect the exact rate of recidivism. I believe it’s as high as 80%. I’ve beaten the odds so far, and I’m very proud of it. I would rather be homeless in the real world. Than do the same amount of years inside of prison. The hardest thing about prison was being constantly surrounded by knuckleheads. It’s almost unbearable, because you have to live with them, for all of your stay. That fight I spoke of in State was my only one there. Feds was a different story, you have members from all 50 states in one prison. Additionally, from other countries. Nobody knows who you are unless you are big time. All you have to show them is paperwork about your case.

[@Marxman1917]

Russell Maybe you should write a book about it. This was a great read, best of luck to you

[@harrisons62]

Russell yeah you thought you were hard in your little gang robbing vulnerable people good for you cause nobody gives a shit.

[@eddilovee]

Harrison Still I thank my teachers for instilling good characteristic in me. I remember each teachers name from 1st to 5th grade. Those people taught me everything I needed to know. You know, it’s proven that if a child is born in a high stress environment. That child most likely will be violent. Even a fetus is impacted by it. I didn’t get to chose how I was born. I was born into war. That’s all I knew. My only escape was education and knowledge.

[@MsMOLLYKINS]

Mr Baxter is absolutely doing a great job. Regardless of his crime at least he is working to help people not just looking out for himself. Good job

[@didntknoicouldchangethis]

Molly Mayor I agree!

[@fatgalapeno3384]

Molly Mayor dont tell me you feel bad and think he deserves to be free because of his age...remember hes not in there for no reason

[@MsMOLLYKINS]

1Fom thank you, I wasn't suggesting he didn't deserve to be there I am saying I would prefer prisoners use their time to better them selves and if that is helping elderly or disabled prisoners then that's what I would hope prison reforms are about. There is not point in locking people up and leave them with nothing to do. Prison is not designed to teach the prisoner about why he chose this life but perhaps prisoners learn to help others instead of being self obsessed . Anyway I meant it as a comment not a debate but maybe we should debate what prison reform is about . Xox

[@francisco4benites]

Molly Mayor the best is that it's by choice it's not like a job he gets paid for it's some thing he volunteered for

[@MsMOLLYKINS]

francisco4ben absolutely. I can only imagine the hours of boredom stretch with fear violence and endless tedium ... Humanity is taken from them and this just shows that no matter what human kindness really is very powerful . In a world full of self absorbed bitterness there is kindness ...

[@RichardsWorld]

If someone truly has dementia and can't remember anything, then they are basically a different person than the person that committed the crimes. Keeping them in prison is a big waste of money.

[@FlatRangeOperator]

At that point tho they are fully assimilated, but yes the system is totally backwards as fuck.

[@mundotaku_org]

The problem is that many of those people don't even have someone outside to take care of them. This might sound insane, but some elderly are better in prison than being freed. Some don't even realize they are on prison.

[@donnakhail426]

Richard's World Traveler and what would u tell the victim's family?

[@CerifiedAbdi]

So if killers forget the crimes they committed we should release them?

[@kwcbomb]

You know what they say about dementia, You get to meet new people every day.

[@asylumbuilder2881]

Very nice of that inmate to help elderly prisoners

[@Thoroughly_Wet]

Keeping anyone in prison who no longer can take care of themselvs is just a waste of money

[@TheHadesShade]

They still need to be taken care of, no one else will do it. Especially not for the kind of payment they are giving people in prison to do that job. So in actuality, it costs less.

[@user-ks6kj9no9n]

Well if these old hags are let out they will die in street. They got no one

[@mkmk4314]

Its inhuman

[@darlene971]

I think if someone killed your child or other family member you would want tu hem to die in prison. Of course if they did not murder someone i would feel something else should be done to punish

[@Advic77]

Unintended consequences of "life means life"..The prison system has become responsible for the care of the elderly. Like all elderly citizen, they are drawing down on their "pension" and there is nothing wrong with that.

[@SCORPIONSCOME1st]

I was once an inmate and I was teased for being housed in the elderly part of the compound, one one man passed away but I received more wisdom from some of those guys than family

[@davidanderson2263]

true..

[@janethockey9070]

Wisdom comes from those with the most burn marks.

[@ras_krystafari3333]

*Then your own blood family* these guys are have family. Where do u thunk the wisdom came from?

[@kevinparsley6806]

@@ras_krystafari3333 i tried man. i dont know what that says.

[@kat7939]

“Teased”?? Were you in prison or Kindergarten???

[@christopherbradley5575]

The problem isnt that the prisoners are getting old.....thats just common sense. The problem is that Americas prison system is totally ineffective. Other developed countries have prisons that actually rehabilitate offenders and turn them into productive members of society but the US just cant seem to handle that kind of responsibility. As a result, we are paying billions per year for something that doesnt work. Americans should be furious about this.

[@davidanderson2263]

americans arent too smart we elected trump as president..

[@demanischaffer]

David Anderson So could we un smart Americans have our UN money back?

[@wesley5729]

Christopher Bradley it's not the prison system it's the family unit. We have dumb parents raising their children to be gangbangers and rapists it's too late for them

[@davidanderson2263]

no moron its personal choices..

[@wesley5729]

David Anderson choices influenced by bad parenting

[@JASQNT]

You can see total compassion in Mr. Baxter’s eyes. Prison staff need to retrained by Mr. Baxter! In addition, yes I agree he will never get parole because he is their BEST officer!

[@RespectMyAuthoritaah]

The prison staff do not need training by Mr. Baxter. You need training by the prison staff. This is not a documentary it is a propaganda piece.

[@Agislife1960]

The saddest part of the whole deal is, if they just let most of those elderly prisoners go, they wouldn't have any care or housing at all.

[@xeero24]

The saddest part actually is the lives that these animals took. The fact you feel anything for these annuals shows what a horrible person you are, also willing to bet you’re an alt left liberal as well. Shame on you.

[@Nkyspiritualwarrior1924]

I work as a caregiver for the elderly and I can relate to Mr. Baxter it’s heartbreaking. My patients that I work with don’t even know what they’re even doing in a nursing home.

[@peterpoutypuss]

I am not saying prisoners should be coddled,but sometimes a little humanity goes a long way.

[@jackmaster3134]

@L Manning most are there for drugs you treat people like an animal they will act like one

[@5Mariner]

Would you be advocating for people like Ariel Castro, Dylann Roof, Jake Patterson, and Todd Kohlhepp?

[@miapdx503]

America is about the sickest nation when it comes to incarceration. We sentence men to be raped and brutalized. No other civilized country does what we do to people. It's disgusting.

[@ShidaiTaino]

L Manning what’s the difference between a soldier, an executioner, and a murderer

[@andrestapia7329]

Noo. Let ppl do time. I did.mine..

[@saltysouthernmomma9354]

May God bless those volunteers & the men they care for.

[@karliebellatrixyoung6359]

Elderly inmates should have separate facilities, and senility should be taken into account when we assess parole. The size of the prison population in America is sickening, especially when you consider just how many inmates committed only non-violent drug offenses. The measure of the humanity of a society is how it treats it's lowest members.

[@josephdugdale4150]

There needs to be an international effort to decriminalize drug offences. It would cut prison populations by over half and release millions of innocent people. Drug users are some of the most oppressed people in society and we shouldn't stand for such abuse. If it's a war on drugs they want, then we will give them a war.

[@karliebellatrixyoung6359]

@@josephdugdale4150 Agreed, but IMO decriminalization is a half measure which leaves users disenfranchised. Legislation, regulation, taxation, and treatment for those whose drug use has become problematic. Prohibition is an experiment whose time is over.

[@josephdugdale4150]

@@karliebellatrixyoung6359 I couldn't agree more!

[@welderella]

Put them on parole and they will end up homeless.

[@davidjanssen894]

There needs to be punishment prisons for violent crimes and rehabilitation prisons for other crime

[@chickasaw9635]

Law enforcement for profit is sick.

[@dxb8086]

That's what murica was build on. The penal system is murica's largest economy sector. It's a business model in the "land of the free".

[@TheGhjgjgjgjgjg]

America is a fucked up country when you really get down into the nitty gritty.

[@likearockcm]

I agree but even worse is health care for OBSCENE profit.

[@miapdx503]

It absolutely is. Then it's no longer prison; it's state sponsored slavery.

[@vivenomada]

@Mark Davis and than you get judges like Mark Ciavarella who get paid to send people to jail

[@cynthiabauer5281]

Put these prisoners in a separate wing so they will not be victimized. With a separate cafeteria and guards specially trained to handle them

[@littlemoto1]

Cynthia Bauer they do

[@ComradeRachel]

Im sure many prisons do attempt this, but some that are overcrowded may not be able to do this easily. We have too many over crowded prisons.

[@HollieMoodie]

Some elderly people require around the clock care.

[@TK-ib2vu]

Cynthia Bauer nah fuck that. Set up a government run old folks home. Specifically for inmates to old to stay with the general population.

[@casoldierman]

Cynthia Bauer stun gun and pepper spray handles them made my there government employees hahahahahahahah

[@juneosborne862]

Me Baxter thank you for taking care of the elderly man. You will be Blessed for what you do. My Grandmother had dementia and it was hard for her to not be able to take care of herself and for her not to recognize us. There should be a place where these men are kept and taken care of 24/7 by nurse assistance’s. Thanks for all you do.

[@genderfluidsneutral4591]

I'd prefer if he was never in jail, I don't even want to know what he did to end up in prison for so long.

[@shadowcrimsonflare]

If I had a loved one that lost their life due to the actions that put one of these elderly people in prison, I might not view them with such pity.

[@edwardinfante2602]

I have no pity and how could I? They got to live their life. Albeit was in prison but it's still a whole lot more than their victim got.

[@PonchoANS7]

That's depressing. American prisons should focus on reform rather than punishment. They go in criminals and come out something worse.

[@yellabus]

Alfonso Navarro What does it matter when 1 in 10 inmates is serving a life sentence. May as well inprison all scumbag criminals for life. Then you don't need to rehabilitate, just punish, punish, punish.

[@audiotecmark]

Alfonso Navarro Though I agree with your second statement, they do come out much worse. The fact is, most people get out of prison and end up either never going back in, or going back in multiple times. A lot of the time there isn't any way to rehabilitate people without extremely large expenses, as their mental issues are quite bad, and there's no guarantee it will work for them.

[@robertruschak7083]

Commies should donate there own money to these old Democrat voters!!!

[@dougiequick1]

WHOLE lot of whack jobs can NOT be "reformed" and have proven such over and over again ...such HAVE TO BE caged like dangerous animals ...it is NOT about THEM it is about everyone else....

[@waynerobinson2301]

Poncho it is up to individual to reform himself no one can do it for them . They have visiting ministers from every faith and the bibles and such . You cant live someone life

[@mechanicjobs]

God bless Mr Baxter efforts to help others.

[@scottrjmatmsncom]

I'm surprised that they don't have senior inmate wards just for there protection

[@jamestown8398]

The Gold Coats Program seems like a good idea; it helps protect the elderly vulnerable prisoners and allows some of the younger ones a way to feel useful and helpful.

[@slimesandglitterrainbows5183]

They need to be in a separate prison like kids don’t go to regular prisons that should have something like that for the elderly

[@davidanderson2263]

disagree prison is prison,if you 17 and u commit murder u should be wit other murders whether 40 or 50 yrs old.. u both did horrible crimes..

[@s.a.8548]

How about if you're 6 and commit murder. You should be taken to adult prisons?

[@rs72098]

@@davidanderson2263 I disagree, a 70 year old mind is much different than a 20 year old. Yes they should be in prison, but separate from a 25 year old who could see them as easy prey. Same reason you wouldn't put a 13 year old in prison with a 30 year old. Many prisoners can be predatory.

[@timothyterrell1658]

LA is reputed to have a brutal callous penal system. Yes we do, when that is what is needed. But there is another face to the coin. At Angola, one of the hardest prison's in the country they have a entire unit dedicated to elderly inmates ,to protect them from other inmates. And give them the special care they need. You find compassion in the strangest places. They are not trying to be cruel .cruelty of itself is pointless.

[@timothyterrell1658]

@@s.a.8548 Yes they should. But we have special protection units for this thing 9 and12 year olds would not last a day in population. There is no justifiable reason to do that. If a child is so hot a reformatory can't handle them ,they have to go to prison. Eaven if they don't want them there.

[@marianyulo9066]

This man helping has his way into heaven . He’s helping these older people he’s got a good heart . Awesome

[@ganrimmonim]

Amen.

[@taniaaustin6433]

Some people do bad things it doesn't always mean they are a bad person. I think in the USA where it's acceptable to carry guns it must be very easy to pull out a gun almost in impulse and shoot someone without even thinking about it. It's something we don't have much of in the UK. One impulsive action and your life is messed up. In UK they say if you carry a knife yourself you more likely to be stabbed. I wonder if the same goes with guns. Maybe your more likely to put yourself in a dangerous situation because a false sense of security.

[@WildlifeWarrior-cr1kk]

There's no such thing as heaven

[@GoodVibesNewlevel2023]

I think it’s interesting that most of these documentaries with topics such as poverty, homelessness, incarceration, sex trafficking, disease, high cost of.education, unemployment etc in America are produced by media outlets in other countries. I think it’s good, so others can see that the US is not as perfect as they may believe.

[@slytherin3034]

Lisa J We Americans don't believe we're perfect; we know we're the best there is.

[@johnjohansson6277]

Oh we know America isn’t perfect; far from it (e.g. Trump).

[@gnarlyweinstein8155]

@@slytherin3034 Nope.

[@slytherin3034]

@@gnarlyweinstein8155 Yup.

[@gnarlyweinstein8155]

@@slytherin3034 Nah.

[@MadMan-xx8sf]

Thank you Gold Coat Brothers. God Bless each of you.

[@DyanneGavin]

The 'Gold coats', wow, thank you for the loving work you do. You all are a fine example of what all of us need to do all of the time. Goes back to the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"! Blessings, Love and Peace for All, NOW!

[@Wardell43]

No, she far to stupid. Where are our Gold Coats?? Where are the Bleeding Hearts that worry about the Health Care of our Vets?? No one gives a rats arse what happens to some old child molesters. Kindness leads to more stupidity.

[@Hfajardo97]

Except that they aren't. The two people who they told us about were murderers. They are a fine example of trying to make up for what they did but they should only be role models for criminals in prison.

[@alexkrasnic3850]

You know they are all serving life for murder, right???

[@soulspeakreadings9713]

Idiot.

[@bozkurt158]

The Revolution Will Be Televised, She doesn't realise they're only doing it for themselves and parole hearing. Most of those "Goldcoats" shot and killed a person.

[@nickc3657]

“Prison hospice program” Just.... wow

[@duanestewart9149]

We protect them. Thx Brother. Me Baxter. Sending you good will and positive vibes

[@miapdx503]

Mr. Baxter, I hope you're out and reading this.

[@Elleshante]

The relationships between these men are awesome this saddens me the elderly and dying in prison

[@ClaimClam]

BAXTER IS A GOOD MAN, WE NEED MORE LIKE HIM IN PRISON

[@chicohaze787]

When you get handed a life sentence you can’t help it to get old. Or the wave of people getting sentenced during the 90s are getting older now

[@satanas6740]

The past couple of years of my life have been kind of crazy, I've found myself in jail about 5 different times in this time span and evertime I always see elderly people being locked up, it's insane. I hate to see them there, it's no place for an elderly person

[@ghosthunter8287]

Hope you’re doing well and have stayed out of jail

[@undertyped1]

2:50 i love how she calls it an institute. It's not there to rehabilitate anyone.

[@wildboris1]

Its not supposed to? The people in there are murders and are getting what they deserve, to rot behind bars

[@undertyped1]

@Ryan Anderson i'm sure creating millions of hardened criminals is doing great for society. Rehabilitation? pah who needs it, what this world needs is more criminals and killers.

[@ben76326]

@Ryan Anderson that makes no sense. IQ is rough estimate towards the average intelligence of people of the same age. With 100 being the average. So if you killed everyone below 115, then tested again those same people would have an IQ of less than 100. Also IQ isn't a great measure of ability (especially in the long run), because it is subject to change in both the short and long term. And it's practically impossible to have an IQ test without bias.

[@mikaelamilazzo5070]

My father was arrested and spent two days in jail while he was doing at home hospice care and getting ready to die. He had Parkinson's, Dementia, and could not walk. They screamed at him because he wet his pants(he no longer had any control.) and died two weeks after he was released. He was arrested on a warrant that was issued 22 years ago for driving while suspended. This is ridiculous, prison is not a nursing home.

[@mariaferrell9844]

Paying $36.00 dollars a month is an insult. The prison is getting paid well.

[@ChristineFisher123]

What a waste of public money, In Scandinavian countries the maximum sentence is around 21 years. That is because it has been shown (apparently by sociology and psychology reports) that people locked up for longer show no further signs of improvement or rehabilitation. So keeping them incarcerated for longer seems pointless. Thanks for the upload!

[@Sure_You_Betcha]

I agree entirely it's a massive waste to let them live... Rope costs 5 bucks, and you never have to worry about repeat offences from violent criminals.

[@rodrigot3955]

Well that should change in case of terrorism like the guy from Norway. But for most offenses it makes a lot of sense.

[@DanRossGraphics]

So what do they do to serial killers and the like?

[@sickfvckkkkk]

@@Sure_You_Betcha A harm warped justice system isn't going to be any better...

[@Sure_You_Betcha]

@@sickfvckkkkk I disagree...

[@MattyIcecubes]

I can't even imagine how awful dying in prison must be.

[@FrancisOReillyTelescopemaker]

I can, I was in prison and I saw it. Sad.

[@khallilmarshall]

Depressing.

[@lauravaughn6740]

It's so sad how people make decisions that causes them to end up in prison not knowing what they're going to face once they're there. They should separate the old people that are sick.

[@berniesands6201]

Much Love & Respect for the gold coast guys that look out for the older guys that can't do for them selves anymore. In an environment filled with predators they still find the kindness in their hearts to care for another human being.

[@gabbygirl3951]

the care the elderly inmates are receiving from the gold coats is probably better quality and personal then the care they would receive in a nursing home on the outside. Most residents in nursing homes also don't get to leave the facility either so they may as well be in prison. They should not get released from prison just because they are elderly because their victims didn't even get a chance to become elderly. Those who are elderly who did not commit violent crimes and are now so incapacitated they are no longer a risk to society are the only ones who should be considered for release.

[@TypeOneg]

Gabby Girl you are high.

[@gabbygirl3951]

Victoria Love why do u think so?

[@executiveoo7694]

Says every woman who has had abortions if it was a man he would be in jail and keep in mind some are for killing there own kids

[@littlemoto1]

Gabby Girl go help the elderly then

[@MsJoyce31202]

They are getting what they deserve by paying for their crimes in jail. Now unless the system is going to kill these people (death penalty), they are going to need care when they can't take care of themselves. And of course you don't use death penalty for just any reason. It is good to have Gold Coats to care for these indivuduals. No one is dead until they are dead, so they will need care. This is something to think about for those who are incarcerated for life without parole.

[@biggdaylon2]

Use me as a “Let him go home” button

[@atomic59313]

Imagine how many of those old men were falsely accused of a crime they didn’t commit and just stopped fighting their case and had to come to terms they were gonna grow old in prison. So sad.

[@xostler]

Get rid of statutory minimums for nonviolent crimes. Tell politicians to stop making every damn little thing illegal.

[@TheGamingREZ]

damn that food at 2:34 looks better than what I ate today 😂

[@adrianborinsky2989]

they're lucky to have salads, rice and beans though is nothing to be thankful for

[@nordmenn0855]

Yep same, they eat better than me

[@XavierZara]

Not even the high school food is that good

[@adrianborinsky2989]

@@XavierZara your highschool must be really shit

[@i.t9390]

@@adrianborinsky2989 You should be thankful for everything

[@Tashafhickman]

So who feeds the inmates when they can't anymore? Who changes them when they can't make it to the bathroom ? Let them go to a nursing home,honestly it's like prison in my opinion.

[@Craig-pm2kc]

So if the guy killed someone, let him go?

[@edwardinfante2602]

@@Craig-pm2kc yep. Who cares as long as it wasn't somebody I know. Sure seems that's the way people are thinking.

[@joanneortiz3251]

Wow, I have nothing but admiration for these men. They are doing a great thing. Also, I second what everybody else has said about the ineffectiveness and cruelty of the American prison system. But under the current system as it stands, these men are doing what they can.

[@judedumatteo3413]

I hope they release that mr. Baxter he deserves to be out and probably could get a job in a assisted residential living he really cares about his people and the elderly population bless his heart

[@dorothymason8882]

Privately owned prisons are huge for profit businesses 🗽

[@MR..181]

Dorothy Mason .points out the criminal clàss of antihumans

[@sherryballard5963]

It's not just private prisons

[@romanavolny4347]

Eye opening! Thank you for doing this documentary. Everyone should see it.

[@tms9995]

This report is a BRUTAL TRUTH Seriously

[@rodneyschells9632]

You guys are doing a great thing for these elderly prisoners God is going to find a great place and have them for you for doing this God bless you brother

[@kisselkimber]

There are so many things wrong with this.

[@dirtysanchez5154]

@Kimber Kissel. No there is nothing wrong this ! Tell that to the victims family !

[@jiggyfun807]

In Norway max sentence is 23 years. If your gonna have the world's biggest prison population at least offer medically assisted suicide, if I was gonna die in prison and had no idea why I was there, i'd choose death.

[@davidanderson2263]

america believes that if your a criminal your no longer a human..

[@nathanielmathews2617]

David Anderson Sadly true. Norway has an amazing prison system that fixes so much. Costs less, decreased crime, decreased gangs/mafia, decreased recurrent offenders, smaller prison population. But people are too blind to actually take the initiative.

[@nathanielmathews2617]

Akash Sandhu Yes, quit with your revenge bullshit- they are punished no matter what.

[@MrWhite-pn7ui]

+Nathaniel Mathews-Bovee Costs less? Socialist norway spends about $93,000 per inmate each year, about three times more than the US. Violent scumbags are coddled like tourists and given pathetically short sentences, it's outrageous.

[@nathanielmathews2617]

Mr. White It leads to a lower crime rate overall leading to it costing less. Also without the death penalty and keeping prisoners in for a less amount of time then the overall cost is less. You say that shit, but what they do leads to less civilian deaths and a overall higher quality of life. You just want prisoners to be treated like shit, and by doing so when they get out they commit crimes again. This has RESULTS. Quit getting a hardon for America's fucked up prison system and look to actually save lives.

[@ATM180]

This is a fantastic video, very informative and well presented!

[@HUDVlogs]

1:31 looks like Stanley from the office

[@baymz420]

this is a really good program and for those inmates who will be getting out it has also given them a skill on top of the empathy that they will need to be productive members of this Society

[@grooveythoughts]

Denise are you going to hire one of them, let them care for your kids, thought not. These are societies 'unforgiven' not a silly hollywood movie this is real life where a person isn't given forgiveness their past puts them into charity jobs that their sponsors feel entitled to check on weekly (indentured slaves).

[@maiu.9366]

Life is what you make it, somebody will have a heart to give these guys a chance. Maybe they'll end up having to do it on their own, it's so easy to be negative amd so hard to be positive. When you're positive any shitty situation becomes meaningless. Food, clothes, shelter, and anything else is just a want...

[@milascave2]

There are other jobs besides caring for kids. And, if we don't give them work, or some source of income, they will be right back in quick.

[@bernardpopp541]

great comment...agreed!

[@TypeOneg]

Can you imagine waking up in prison everyday and not remembering why you're there? THAT is torture. Unconstitutional. The reason they won't commute them is because the sick, dying, and old can't fight back. It's an uneven playing field.

[@mattkennedy3474]

Victoria Love don’t be fooled be their grandfatherly appearance many of these seniors committed horrible crimes in the past. If one of these guys killed a family member of yours you’d be screaming for them to grow old, lose their mind and rot in prison until death released them from the ethereal plain.

[@davidanderson2263]

family members have a higher chance of killing u,or anyone else in ur family then some random stranger... those people the inmates killed were people they know..so remember that..

[@TypeOneg]

To you both. A family member of mine was killed. By a family member. So who should I be? A hateful cunt or a loving mom and grandma ? People change and age out of criminal thinking - which we all have, btw.

[@elgallofino7906]

@@TypeOneg exactly people need to forgive instead of judging

[@adrianborinsky2989]

good, they deserve torture, most of them with life sentences are in for murder, they deserver nothing but torture

[@andy3949]

These Gold Coat guys deserve some sort of reward for the work they do. It is rather hard and messy work.

[@booradley2302]

When they hit 65, let them out. What kind of harm could 99% of them do after turning 65.

[@danieldougan269]

At 65, they could still do a lot of damage.

[@chrisjames5254]

i hope Mr baxter gets out ....seams like a good man

[@mostdope216]

I doubt the family of the man he murdered share the same sentiment. Think before you type

[@ruffprophetproductions]

yeah i agree i would assume he has come to terms with the wrongs he has done and it looks like he is trying to do right by others (whether it was his choice or not he is still doing it)

[@mostdope216]

@@chrisjames5254 I'm an asshole because I consider the victims of his crime? The family is still mourning the loss of their loved one and you want to set their killer free... Yeah. I'm the asshole.

[@chrisjames5254]

@@mostdope216 Didn't you hear the first time.SHUT THE FUCK UP no one gives two fucks about your opinion . Ever think the guy he killed might have been an evil scumb bag who deserved to die.Come to think of it to bad you were not the one who was killed . Nobody wants to hear your diarrhea of the mouth

[@mostdope216]

@@chrisjames5254 yikes

[@alianagutierrez2733]

This break my heart 😢

[@gabrielgarcia5629]

As a Christian I strongly believe that God has gives many opportunities in your life path to bring you back to him. These men called the gold coats are a blessing.

[@renitabragg9108]

I agree that is reforming at its finest

[@theboyscout0156]

Renita Bragg so if someone murders your mom, you want them to get free education?

[@jonaveul]

God does not do anything, it’s the persons choice to Break the law and go to jail.

[@r.a.contrerasma8578]

I was there in the late 90's - early 2000's. They had this program on the East-D Yard, where most of the severely mentally impaired inmates are housed. They had the Gold Coats and the Blue Coats. I was a blue coat inmate who helped with prisoner intake and administration. The correctional officers on that yard are trained to be more empathetic towards the more sensitive needs of these types of inmates. I knew many of the Gold Coats who were interviewed and they do a yeoman's job for meager pay. Also if an inmate owes state restitution, (back then) some 33% was taken out of that $36 paycheck. And most jobs started out at just 30 cents an hour. WOW. The flashbacks I get seeing that place after so many years ago...

[@Matos-fg1yg]

Nice to meet you

[@iaretehleet]

a for profit, private, prison industry, what could possibly go wrong?

[@vonnababeimyamansfantasy8436]

They done turned the inmates into CNAs and the prison into a nursing home😳 I cant believe this....Like I'm a whole nurse and I am ABSOLUTELY appalled by this.

[@renitabragg9108]

Why are you appalled?

[@l_w6041]

I remember an article about a man who had dementia in person. He didn’t remember his crime or why he was in jail. There was a similar story about a guy who had been beaten so badly he had no memory of his life outside jail. Not knowing where he grew up, why he was in jail, his family, or anything. It’s sad

[@kperez-wq3iy]

Thank you Mr. Baxter.

[@smileyface8832]

*I feel really sad for the elderly...*

[@lukejfmccann]

Still thing it's insane how long American jail sentences are..!

[@nowaywithyoueveragai]

Massive incarceration or no jail time for "lesser offenses" would cause a wave of new problems. What inmates need is opportunities that change their lives for good. There is where the penitentiary system keeps failing. The society owes ppl like Mr Baxter immense gratitude for what he is doing.

[@vinwiki6482]

So sad and heart touching at the same time💯😢

[@godschild6391]

This is a huge problem for not just elderly since most are in for petty crimes! Yes this is true or false accused. Murderers and rapists should fill prisons and nothing else, but violent crimes. So sad how many our government puts away that could be reformed if given the chance at a life. Hell even rapists and murderers have been let out or never go.

[@jaekoff5050]

Is it just me or does prison bear a curious resemblance to high school?

[@graniteamerican3547]

I am in highschool now, and can say, no, they don't, high school is honestly better, except for the food.

[@jaekoff5050]

@@graniteamerican3547 maybe in YOUR highschool...

[@graniteamerican3547]

@@jaekoff5050 whats wrong with yours?

[@dawnnicolas7617]

Big Respect for these guardian Angels! God bless them! 😇💜

[@user-hn5sw1rx1q]

ELDERLY INMATES SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEY WRONG DOINGS

[@ryanjones7681]

Forget a retirement home. I'm just gonna rob a bank at 80 and just chill in jail. Free food, bed, health care, tv.

[@strelingowen7232]

Bob Oznek i doubt this guy will have this immature mindset at 80

[@zimbabueycazeau2874]

U need jesus bro

[@sleeper9152]

Fuck u

[@tylerdurden5150]

Shut up bitch

[@ildikoivanyi6873]

I'm pretty sure this is why many people purposely go in and the high recividism. Not everyone can be fully independent and self sustaining on the outside. It's sad because there is more humane ways to handle this instead of locking people up.

[@peterpoutypuss]

America has no heart or compassion--all due to financial considerations. Compassion hurts the prison`s bottom line,which is paramount!

[@josephdugdale4150]

Erm it's called capitalism

[@Sure_You_Betcha]

You're right killing murderers and rapsist is a far better option.

[@wildboris1]

They are murders, they all deserve to rot

[@jrivas5563]

Well the thing is the more omey you have the less you care about other people. Money simply means you fucked a lot of people. What a great world right

[@NoName-ke7ro]

Great work gold coats ,keep at it and thank you...

[@kerimartens3519]

If the younger inmates cannot be released, helping the elderly is a great service to mankind. The older inmates cannot just be released into a society that cannot or will not care for them. Unfortunately being in prison might be the safest place for them.

[@patriciaschuster1371]

Growing old on the outside isn't too great, either, especially if you don't have money.

[@westonangieweston]

Sad very sad MAY GOD BLESS AN HELP THAT MAN CARING 4 AN PROTECTING THE OLDER PEOPLE

[@BrandoninOrlando]

Crazy how maturity changes people and then people look back and say wow how dumb was i?

[@fullsun4434]

i have a grandma who also has memory issues (alzheimers) and just knowing that there are prisoners living with the same infuriates me ,,,,, they literally cant get the help they need in their state and the conditions they have to live in are horrible it makes me so sad and i just

[@cristianvelasquez9667]

I always tell people america is the 3rd world country of 1st world countries lol

[@sheldonlatimer5911]

This is a great program, and hope that it continue for those above 65 years of age

[@1trucxhondamov589]

The last time I read the Economist, I was there, ironically!

[@HealthyAndrew]

1:20 that’s heartbreaking

[@vonnababeimyamansfantasy8436]

I'm super sad right now...crying and shit...

[@Dreaded88]

When we said: Life, we fucking meant life! This needs to be shown in schools to kids who think going in is cool.

[@MysteriousBlue77]

Dreaded88 yes because what we need is to show kids that cruelty = cruelty because that really solves the situation. Compassion is what needs to be taught and reform.

[@Dreaded88]

+Lil King: Oooh, no! Noooo.... We need to teach: "Ye' pull a knife I pullout a Streetsweeper! Ye' send one'a my guys to the Hospital I send eight of your guys to the Morgue!"

[@FrancescaEleonora]

+Mysterious Blue i lose my sympathy for those who committed murder rape ecc, yes, 40 years it is. a few grams of cocaine? no, it makes no sense to keep them for 20 years

[@nana_ginny]

Wow i never thought about this issue. 😒 im glad someone is doing something for these folks at least in this facility.

[@AriaD369]

ty Mr Baxter, you angel you

[@californiascreaming1131]

God bless the gold coats

[@thisislaflaretv5250]

36$ a month. Please

[@brycehamm289]

Who tf would dislike this, this shit is powerful man

[@H3llsEmper0r]

Who thumbs down this video? Like really, most elderly people still need care and attention. If I were in that situation I would want someone helping me.