The State of Michigan Ranks ninth in the US in prisoner health care cost.  This is due largely to an aging inmate population, according to a study released Tuesday.

The report produced by the Pew Charitable Trusts found the cost of prison health care is 37 percent higher than the average among the 10 states, including Michigan.  This is due to these states having the highest percentage of inmates 55 or older.

Eight percent of Michigan prisoners are in the over 55 age bracket.  Michigan spent $7,465 on health care per inmate in 2011, which was the latest year with available data. That is in comparison with a national average of $6,047 per prisoner, the study found.

Currently Michigan spends a total of approximately $34,000 annually per inmate.

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