고령친화도시와 고령친화 교정타운의 연계 추진 검토

Abstract

Korean society is rapidly transitioning into a super-aged society, which brings qualitative changes across all social, economic, and cultural domains. In response, the government is advancing plans to transform existing cities into age-friendly cities. Simultaneously, the aging population has led to a steady rise in elderly inmates, who now constitute nearly 17% of the total inmate population. This calls for the development of age appropriate correctional facilities to accommodate increasingly larger numbers of aging inmates who will need distinct and specialized treatment from the rest of the prison population. To this end, I am proposing that the construction of senior correction compound within aging-friendly cities. Aging-appropriate correctional towns are complex correctional facilities that will primarily house elderly and disabled inmates requiring special treatment. These facilities will be able to deal with the perforce additional care that most elderly need. Elderly inmates because they are under correctional sentences does not obviate their physical and possibly even cognitive needs. Aging-friendly cities would ideally have welfare and medical facilities that provide various programs for the elderly which can then be easily accessed by elderly inmates as well. The establishment of aging correctional facilities in close proximity to aging-friendly cities would not only provide for the services needed by elderly inmates but can be a boon for the local economy with both public and private investment into the infrastructure and hiring. This integrated approach to aging-friendly cities and correctional towns presents a forward-looking societal model in an aging society. Enhancing the welfare of the elderly and ensuring a dignified life in a super-aged society is a national priority. The principles of “aging in place” and “aging within one’s community” are central to elder welfare. There must be a pronounced effort to provide these to elderly inmates to the extent that it does not conflict with the limitations placed on inmates. The rate and levels of aging that many nations are facing are unprecedented and its effects are already being felt even in prison populations. The construction of aging-appropriate correctional towns in conjunction with age-friendly cities would be an effective and positive way to address this most pressing issue.