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Abstract

This study aims to explore the age appropriateness of older prisoners’ care in England and Wales prisons. Numbers of elderly people are increasing in most countries across the world. This is reflected in prison populations, although ageing populations are not the only factor for these increases. Using secondary research this study explores the changes in the numbers of male prisoners in England and Wales and the associated causes. The largest increases are seen in the older age groups and projections suggest that this is likely to continue. Past, current and proposed sentencing practices are keeping prisoners detained for longer and the pursuance of historic sex offenders has meant that they are incarcerated long after they committed their crimes. The growth in numbers of this cohort has created challenges for the prison service as they have distinctive and complex health, social and end of life care needs. Different approaches of how they spend their time whilst in custody are required. When compared with the features of age-friendly cities as defined by the World Health Organisation, there are examples of best practice across the prison estate, but the prison service is inconsistent in fulfilling its duty of care to older prisoners. More could be done to achieve improved levels of age-friendliness in England and Wales prisons, particularly concerning building adaptation, meaningful activities, employment opportunities, access to health services and creating respectful prison cultures. New research concerning older prisoners’ experiences should inform strategy and policy updates, in particular, how minority groups experience ageing in prison and the short- and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which are predicted to be far-reaching.

Course: Crime and Criminology - BSc (Hons) - C2113P

Date Deposited: 2021-11-05

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13724.html