# Should the elderly get a break in sentencing?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-elderly-get-a-break-in-sentencing/193814>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [August 8, 2003, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-elderly-get-a-break-in-sentencing/193814 "2003-08-08T12:39:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\
**Post date:** [August 10, 2003, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-elderly-get-a-break-in-sentencing/193814/21 "2003-08-10T11:01:49Z")

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I am 41. When I was 18, my life expectancy was about 70 years. However, someone born today, when they are 18, life expectency will probably be about 76 years (advances is medicine, and science and all, don’t you know?). Therefore, if we’re going to say that old people should have reduced sentences, then maybe young people should get **increased** sentences. After all, they’re gonna have time to spare, right?

Does that sound ridiculous to you? It does to me. There shouldn’t be an “old age” break!

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**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-elderly-get-a-break-in-sentencing/193814/22 "2003-08-14T20:23:53Z")

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No they shoulnd’t be cut a break!

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**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-elderly-get-a-break-in-sentencing/193814/23 "2003-08-14T21:10:30Z")

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Yes, shorten their sentences. Old people in prison cost more to maintain due to the increased medical problems of advanced age. That’s why senior prisoners are often let out before the end of their sentences now. Don’t raise my taxes to pay for geriatric prisoners just because it offends your rigid sense of justice!

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**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-elderly-get-a-break-in-sentencing/193814/24 "2003-08-14T23:56:21Z")

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No, don’t shorten their sentences. They’re adults: they can vote, run for office, sign contracts, own property… and serve full prison terms. Rights come with responsibilities.

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